How we help children feel in control at Today's Dentistry
In this blog entry Dr Darryl Marsh writes… Make sure you inform your dentist or hygienist if you are (or there is a chance you are) pregnant. This will allow us to plan your treatment around these considerations.
It is important to take care of dental problems such as cavities and plaque build up early in the pregnancy as bacteria from the mouth can cross the placenta and have been found in the amniotic fluid. This means that any infections and problems the mother has can affect the healthy development of the baby. We recommend an examination before you get pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant if you are not on a regular 6 monthly appointment schedule.
There are two main reasons that good dental care is important during pregnancy:
Reason number one: You want to try to minimise any infections commonly associated with emergency dental treatment during pregnancy because of the inconvenience… and
Reason number two: To avoid any antibiotics or dental surgery that may have a negative effect on your baby or to yourself.
Remember the bacteria in the baby’s mouth largely come from the mother. If mum has bacteria that cause tooth cavities or gum infection, these are problems she will pass on to the baby
During periods of morning sickness during pregnancy, the increased acidity from reflux or vomiting can cause decay and weaken the enamel on your teeth.
Usually, that’s not a major consideration unless you have prolonged morning sickness or if you have got multiple fillings or weak areas anyway. The acid could be the thing that pushes it over the edge, and given that it something you can’t prevent it is best to do what you can to minimise the damage.
A home remedy that can help is rinsing with a teaspoon of bi-carbonate of soda in water when you get up in the morning – it is alkaline so neutralises the acids after meals or any morning sickness.
There is the old wives tale about losing a tooth for every child. I am often asked if teeth get less calcium due to being pregnant or is there damage to calcium in the mother when breastfeeding?
The answer is ‘No’, once the teeth are formed the body doesn’t use the teeth as a reservoir of calcium. So the teeth are formed – the only way that a mineral is lost is from a topical event, such as vomiting, reflux or decay. The old adage of “I lost a tooth for every baby” usually has more to do with Periodontal Disease during pregnancy, not loss of calcium.
Even though your baby will not ‘steal’ the calcium for your teeth, your calcium needs are greater so make sure you maintain a healthy diet with dairy and other calcium rich foods.
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience bleeding or tender gums during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can cause sensitivity of the gums but this can easily progress to pregnancy gingivitis.
Bleeding gums can largely be prevented by maintaining a strict oral hygiene regime of brushing, flossing and mouth rinsing. If the bleeding continues, you experience gum swelling or bad breath then I would recommend having a professional scale and clean performed by your hygienist or dentist.
Women undergoing fertility treatments or IVF can be at a greater risk for gingivitis or gum disease. Research has found that women who used ovulation-inducing medications for more than three menstrual cycles had higher levels of gum inflammation and bleeding than women not on the drugs. This is presumably due to increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen in these drugs. If you are undergoing any fertility treatment it is best to be as healthy as possible and this includes your dental health so I would recommend visiting your dentist before beginning any treatment to ensure optimal dental health.
If you are thinking about starting a family or have any questions about dental matters during your pregnancy, then contact us or ‘Ask a Dentist‘ online.
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“Working with patients of all ages continues to ignite my passion within dentistry and I strive to provide a gentle, supportive and positive environment for every patient I work with. ”
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“I enjoy seeing the delight that our patients show when they realise how easy dental care can be! Our team at Today’s Dentistry work together to make every patient feel completely comfortable.”
Dr Sharon's commitment to excellence has shown itself right from the start of her dental career, when she graduated from the University of Queensland with Class I Honours. Her commitment to her craft is reflected in the numerous professional development courses she participates in, with a desire to get the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients through education about their dental conditions, supporting them through overcoming dental anxiety, and helping them achieve their dental goals.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Sharon is an avid baker, a keen photographer, and a fitness enthusiast aiming to conquer the Bridge to Brisbane run in 2023.
I always loved going to my own dental visits, and one day I honestly just though ‘why don’t I give dental assisting a go’. I applied for a job and got a call back straight away, and have been in the industry ever since!
I studied my Cert 3 in Dental Assisting online alongside working full time in my first dental job. I chose to do it online so I had more time to work as I am more of a hands on learner.
I LOVE smile makeovers. I love seeing the joy, and happiness it brings patients and the amount of confidence they gain by having their dream smile.
I love feeling like I am making some sort of impact on people’s lives. Whether it is helping them with their smile makeover, holding their hand during a procedure or just being an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
The team, they are all so wonderful and both Darryl and David are so great to work for. But also what our core value is – which is patient care. I think we are a really great team at making sure our patients come first and their experience with us is a positive one each and every time.
Brisbane born and bred, Sarah’s passion for dentistry began during her orthodontic treatment in her teens. After graduating from highschool, Sarah began working as a dental nurse and decided her true calling was as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sector since then.
Sarah’s focus is on prevention and education. Her goal is to empower her patients so that they can achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for life.
In her free time Sarah can be found spending time with her two sons, hiking, attending a pilates class or exploring Brisbane and the surrounds looking for new restaurants to eat at or adventures to have.
I have been a proud part of the Today's Dentistry team for 20 years now.
My journey to get here though was anything but straight forward and I can probably thank my own childhood family dental visits in Newcastle NSW for my interest in this area of care. It too was a very special practice that took the time with their patients young and old and truly cared about them.
Having my own great experiences as a patient I was thrilled for them to accept me for my Year 10 work experience as a dental assistant and fell comfortably into the role. Due to life as it was back then and lack of public transport my career took me in a whole different direction and I had many years at the Aluminium Smelter in Kurri Kurri.
Once my children were at school I applied for a position as a receptionist at the local Dental Practice only to be told it was actually for an assistant and was I still interested? Silly question! Hands on training the old school way which put me in great position for further learning when our family moved to WA for a couple of years and then finally finding my way to QLD and Darrly and David.
Dentistry to me is a package of many very important parts, the precision and artistry of the actual treatment, the person behind the treatment and understanding of not only their dental needs but emotional drivers and the communication and care to put this all together. Although I now find myself not chairside but doing the behind the scenes administration I still get to talk with our patients and be confident that they are in good hands with my wonderful team.
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