Our oral health is important and finding the right information to ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles begins with a visit at Heritage Dental Care in Milton. Piercing your tongue, lip, or cheek may seem like a form of self-expression or fashion statement, however, most dentists would agree that there are some serious associated oral health risks with mouth jewelry. The most important thing is to be educated before you or anyone in your family takes the plunge. Here are some things to think about:

Infections: An oral piercing creates a wound that is left vulnerable to harmful bacterium. As such, mouth jewelry creates a high risk of infection due to this wound and the vast amount of bacteria located in your mouth. Additional bacteria can then be introduced into your mouth through the inappropriate handling of jewelry before your piercing.

Chipped teeth: A piercing on the lip or tongue can leave your teeth vulnerable to chipping, as the stud at the end of the jewelry piece can easily (and constantly) knock against your teeth.

Periodontal disease: Mouth jewelry can cause damage to your gum tissue, often causing your gums to recede and leaving your teeth exposed. As such, this increases your chances of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

However, if you still feel strongly about moving forward with an oral piercing, here are some steps you can take to ensure you do it well and avoid any future oral issues:

• Ensure you get your piercing done at a reputable establishment. They should have an infection control policy available for review, and should handle the piercing in a clean, healthy manner. You want someone who is experienced, using infection control practices, such as an autoclave sterilizer, or new needles and gloves. Make sure they provide you with a detailed list of after-care instructions.
• Just as you have a set oral hygiene routine, you need to disinfect and clean your mouth jewelry regularly and with care.
• If your piercing is close to your teeth, opt for a plastic stud. In fact, plastic jewelry in general is less damaging than metal. Nickel may even cause allergic reactions.
• Avoid piercing your tongue or the floor of your mouth, these areas increase the risk of infection.
• Should you experience excessive bleeding, swelling or pain after your piercing, contact your dentist immediately.
• Last but not least, continue to visit your dentist regularly. Just like any other oral issue, your dentist can spot any potential damage that your piercing may be causing and help rectify the matter to avoid any major issues down the road.

Heritage Dental Care is a family and cosmetic dental clinic conveniently located in Milton. Lead by Dr. Daisy Park, their professional team strives to provide excellent dental care and it is their goal to help patients achieve optimal oral health. For more information, visit their website or give their office a call to schedule an appointment 905-693-0123.

As an expectant mother you might be surprised that you require special dental care during your pregnancy. This is because you will experience hormonal changes as well as subtle changes in your lifestyle including your diet. Here is an overview of the special dental care you will require during your pregnancy and why:

Oral care: During your pregnancy your own oral health will actually affect your baby’s oral health following the birth. It is a good idea to set up an appointment with your dentist to discuss your pregnancy and learn more about the recommended changes to your oral care during your pregnancy.

Bleeding gums: Many expectant moms are worried when they develop swollen and bleeding gums during pregnancy. Bleeding gums are a common condition during pregnancy, and it is related to your changing hormones. It is also caused by increased levels of fluid in your body as your pregnancy progresses. Your dentist can provide regular cleanings during your pregnancy as well as offer additional oral care tips if you see changes to your gums.

The first trimester: It is a good idea to schedule your appointment once your pregnancy is confirmed. Your first trimester is ideal as your dentist can look for any changes in your oral and dental health and may even recommend you schedule checkups and cleanings every three months during your pregnancy if any changes are noted.

X-rays and pregnancy: Your dentist will not take x-rays unless you have a specific complaint or an emergency during your pregnancy. However, this is not cause for alarm. The x-rays will be safe and the usual precautions will be taken using a lead apron to protect you and your baby from radiation. Many pain killers and antibiotics are not recommended during pregnancy and identifying potential issues early on will help you avoid a situation in which this could pose an issue.

Morning sickness: For some moms morning sickness can lead to vomiting. Excessive vomiting can introduce stomach acids and further bacteria into your mouth. It is important to rinse after vomiting to remove the acids and other particles from your mouth. However it is not recommended you brush your teeth right away as this can actually brush the acids into your teeth.

If you are expecting a baby, Heritage Dental Care in Milton can provide you with the special care you need during pregnancy. Visit Heritage Dental Care online for more information or call their office at 905-693-0123. You can also email info@heritagedentalcare.ca to learn more.

When you pop into your local drug store the toothbrush aisle has become a lot more complicated. There are not only electric toothbrushes available, but many different kinds of both manual and electric/battery operated options making it difficult to know which is better for your oral health. Here is a comparison between the two to help you choose the one that is right for you.

Electric

Electric toothbrushes come in both electric and battery operated options. Electric toothbrushes can be helpful as they do all the work for you and even have a timer that will turn your toothbrush off to indicate you have brushed the recommended amount of time. However they are also considerably more expensive than a manual toothbrush and when sharing the handle with family members can lead to higher potential for spreading illness.

Here are some of the benefits of using an electric toothbrush:

• Many have pressure sensors to signal when you are brushing too hard. This is good as too much pressure can lead to issues such as painful receding gums.
• Timers will help you know how long you have brushed and some models will even time each quadrant so you know you have brushed long enough and can move on to the next section.
• Some have reminders that will let you know it is time for a new brush head.
• Features of electric toothbrushes can assist in more effective brushing such as oscillating-rotating or sonic technology.
• Multiple brush-head compatibility makes it user friendly for families and you can each choose the kind of bristle you prefer. Your bathroom counter will also be neater.

Manual

Manual toothbrushes are certainly the more affordable choice and improvements to the way they are made provide you with some added benefits that make them more effective in cleaning your teeth.

The benefits of manual toothbrushes include:

• Come in a number of new and effective designs including criss-crossed, extra-long or multi-level bristles to reach between teeth and provide a more thorough cleaning.
• Textured bristles also make brushing more efficient.
• Cupped bristle design offers whitening benefits.
• Gum stimulators usually located at the bottom of the handle make it easy to complete your regime without having to use too many products or tools.
• Tongue-cleaner pads help keep your mouth cleaner.
• More hygienic for families each having their own toothbrush, especially when someone is ill.

The bottom line is there is no true advantage to an electric toothbrush. However, they do provide you with an easier more efficient way to keep your teeth clean. Your dentist can help you choose the toothbrush that is best for your needs.

At Heritage Dental Care in Milton their team of dental care professionals provide your family with the dental care you need for excellent dental health.

Visit their website here for more information or call their office at 905-693-0123. You can also email info@heritagedentalcare.ca to learn more.