Generations of Smiles | Issue 03

03 issue

aug ‘21

Generations of Smiles Oral Health Means Better Health For Women Of All Ages

Celebrating Women's Health

Welcome back to Generations of Smiles The Secret to a Healthy Pregnancy Might Be a Simple Test Away Women who have experienced multiple pregnancy complications are often looking for answers. What they and their obstetricians might not know is that the answers they seek could be hiding in their mouths.

If a woman has very early-stage periodontal disease, cleanings and treatments could help prevent pregnancy complications. For women with recurring pregnancy issues, treating periodontal disease might help explain those complications and set her up for future pregnancy success.

Some obstetricians are starting to connect the dots between oral health and prenatal health, but the conversations are just beginning. So, if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to both your OB and your dentist about steps you can take to ensure a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Similarly, keeping up with your dental appointments during pregnancy can help control inflammation that could be dangerous to you and to your baby.

There is a lot to think about when planning for a family, and dental care doesn’t always rise to the top of the list. It all starts with an understanding of the Mouth-Body Connection®, incorporating your dentist into your prenatal care and taking care of that smile – from generation to generation.

Until next time,

Dr. Carolyn Ghazal, DDS Smile Generation®-Trusted Dentist

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A healthy pregnancy starts with a healthy mouth

Contents A Healthy Baby Counts On A Mother’s Smile Plan on a healthier pregnancy by keeping up with your dental appointments. We’ll explain.

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Menopause and Your Teeth: Why Seeing the Dentist is Important At Any Age

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Don’t Gum Up Your Health:

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Serve Day Stories

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Learn how managing your oral health could make a big difference.

Four surprising ways a lack of oral care can mess up your body—and four things you should do to make sure that doesn’t happen.

See how a dental visit turned into a lot more for Donna and her husband Tom.

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MOTHER' Prenatal vitamins?

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Eliminate certain food and drinks ? 

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...Make a dental appointment?

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Wait... what?

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'S SMILE Not many people know that taking care of your oral health during pregnancy can significantly impact the health and well-being of your developing baby, but obstetricians, dentists and other health experts are working together to spread the word – and to make sure expecting mothers are taking care of their teeth.

“We strongly urge women to get regular dental check-ups during pregnancy because gum disease is linked to preterm birth, which affects 1 in 10 babies,” says Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, SVP & Deputy Medical Officer of March of Dimes*1.

March of Dimes is a national organization which fights for the health of all moms and babies.

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A preterm, or premature, birth is one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, before a baby’s brain, lungs and other organs are fully developed. Premature birth is the leading cause of infant mortality.2

Researchers found that women who entered labor early were 45% more likely to have gum disease than women who carried their babies to full term.3

Given the link between oral health and prenatal health, why don’t more women know about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy during pregnancy?

Oral health has not been a traditional focus for obstetrics and gynecology training. But some dentists and obstetricians are working to change that.5 As they encourage more obstetricians to learn about the link between oral health and preterm labor, doctors and dentists are helping to bust a few myths surrounding dental appointments during pregnancy, including: • X-rays: All radiographs and treatment are performed after MD approval is obtained.

• Dental Cleanings: Not only are dental cleanings safe during pregnancy,6 they’re recommended.

• Morning Sickness: Some women experience such bad nausea that

Fighting for the Health of all moms and babies

Learn more at MarchOfDimes.org * March of Dimes participation in this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of Pacific Dental Services or Smile Generation.

brushing and flossing become nearly impossible. These women, unfortunately, are at increased risk of oral complications,7 as stomach acids can affect the enamel on their teeth. Instead of giving up on brushing, try brushing without any toothpaste or rinsing with water and one tablespoon of baking soda.

Seeing a dentist during pregnancy is also important because the link between oral health and pregnancy is a two-way street.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can leave gums more vulnerable to plaque and more likely to be sore and swollen.

In fact, nearly 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis,8 a condition that leads to periodontal disease, gum infection and tooth loss.

Taking care of your teeth during pregnancy is also a great way to take care of your developing baby.

Children of mothers who have high levels of untreated cavities are three times more likely to develop cavities themselves.9 Those first teeth serve as space holders for permanent teeth, so losing one prematurely can cause alignment issues,10 as well as gum disease down the road.

On the flip side, though, when moms-to-be take care of their own health, they help prevent their babies from developing cavities before they’re even born.

And that’s something to smile about.

According to the March of Dimes*

“We strongly urge women to get regular dental check-ups during pregnancy because gum disease is linked to preterm birth, which affects 1 in 10 babies” 9

When women hit menopause in their 40s or 50s, a lot of changes are happening with their body.

You've heard the well-known complaints about hot flashes, weight gain, and mood changes.

But a lesser-known area of concern during menopause is how it affects your teeth and mouth.

Did you know that menopause affects periodontal health by up to 60%?1 Or that during menopause, some women may experience burning mouth syndrome, dry mouth or a loss or change in taste2?

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That’s because the hormonal changes women are experiencing during this period lead to a decline in estrogen being produced in the body.3 That decline causes your teeth and gums to be more susceptible to plaque and gingivitis,4 and makes it more difficult for your mouth to fight off infections and bacteria build-up.

Furthermore, because menopause often leads to bone loss,5 the risk of osteoporosis can affect the jawbone and connection to your teeth, leading to decay or loss.

According to researchers, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the 5-7 years after menopause, as estrogen levels decline.6 asldkfjalsdkfjalkdjfalkdfj For a small percentage of women, there’s also something called menopausal gingivostomatitis,7 which can cause your gums to bleed easily, look dry and shiny or abnormally different colors.

Once there’s a build-up of gingivitis or other periodontal diseases, it’s not just menopause you have to worry about, but higher risks for heart disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke and other fatal illnesses.8

What can be done if you’re already menopausal?

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Two things:

1. Alert your dentist if you’re experiencing bleeding gums, dry mouth or burning mouth syndrome and get those issues addressed. Sometimes, special medications or mouthwashes can be prescribed to help.

2. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and getting regular checkups and cleanings from your dentist.

Already at menopause?

See the sidebar for two simple tips to keep in mind.

And what can be done if you haven’t yet hit menopause?

Technically, any hormonal changes in your body can affect your oral health.9 In addition to menopause, women need to pay extra attention to their mouth when they hit puberty, during their monthly menstrual cycles, during pregnancy and when taking birth control pills.

Take care of your teeth by brushing and seeing your dentist, plus exercise, don’t smoke and get enough calcium, vitamin D and eat a well-balanced diet.10

Because the best way to protect your mouth during menopause is to keep your teeth healthy before you hit it.

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DON ’ T GUM UP

Your Health 4 Things You Should Know About Gum Disease

Gum disease is a bacterial infection beneath the gumline. You can’t brush or floss it away. Left untreated, it can lead to more severe health issues. But you can manage it - here’s what you need to know.

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What are the warning signs?

How do you get gum disease?

• Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing • Red, swollen or tender gums • Persistent bad breath • Pain and sensitivity

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Can gum disease affect my overall health?

Yes! Research suggests a link between gum disease and other systemic diseases, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stroke, lung problems, preterm lowbirth weight in babies, and even erectile dysfunction1.

Poor oral health Tobacco use Alcohol abuse Stress Certain medications Systemic disease Genetics Poor diet

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How do you treat gum disease?

• Surgical and nonsurgical procedures • Laser therapy or localized antibiotics to treat the infection • Continuing regular dental care every 3-4 months for optimum periodontal maintenance

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Serve Day S

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“It made my day!”

Hear from Donna and Tom Smile Generation®-Trusted dentists and their team members are dedicated to the communities they serve. As Donna’s story illustrates, that doesn’t stop at taking care of teeth.

Generations of Smiles A Smile Generation Magazine

LET'S DO THIS AGAIN! Smile Generation exists to connect you with trusted dentists in your area and to offer education on the critical link between oral and overall health. We’d love to know what you think of our magazine.

DROP US A NOTE!

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Sources A Healthy Baby Counts on a Mother’s Smile 1. March Of Dimes - Dental Health During Pregnancy 2. World Health Organization - Preterm Birth 3. NIH - Association Between Periodontal Disease And Preterm Prelabour Rupture Of Membranes 4. Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A National Consensus Statement mchoralhealth.org 5. Effectiveness Of An Oral Health Education Program For Obstetrician/ Gynecologist Residents at Tufts Medical Center 6. Dental Care And Pregnancy - WebMD 7. Brushing For Two: How Your Oral Health Affects Baby - healthychildren.org 8. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention - Oral Health 9. NIH - Assessing The Relationship Between Children's Oral Health Status and That Of Their Mothers 10. Consumer Guide To Dentistry – A Developing Smile: The Permanent Impact of Baby Teeth

Menopause and Your Teeth: Why Seeing the Dentist is Important at Any Age 1. NIH - Oral Health and Menopause 2. SmileGeneration.com - Menopause Can Affect Your Oral Health 3. Cleveland Clinic - Hormones And Oral Health 4. NIH - Oral Health And Menopause 5. National Osteoporosis Foundation - What Women Need To Know 6. DentistryIQ - It's All About Estrogen: Menopause, Bone Loss, and Periodontal Disease 7. American Academy of Periodontology - Gum Disease And Women 8. American Heart Association - Bad Tooth Brushing Habits Tied To Higher Heart Risk 9. Cleveland Clinic - Hormones And Oral Health 10. National Osteoporosis Foundation - What Women Need To Know

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