Exciting times here at The Dentists of Didsbury, as we can now announce our gorgeous Dental nurse Sam, is soon to be a yummy mummy.

Sam is expecting her first little bundle of joy later this year and we couldn’t be happier for her & her Hubby!!

Whilst we can sit back and admire her growing bump, Sam (like many other expecting women) is beginning to experience the pregnancy downsides, one of which being “Pregnancy Gingivitis”.

Blog inspiration for this week …

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?

A mild form of gum disease.

About half of mums-to-be will suffer with swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when flossed or brushed.

Why does this happen?

Hormonal changes can make your gums  more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque.

Does it hurt?

Yes, it can be extremely uncomfortable and can worsen if not treated right away.

How long will it last?

If treated right away, pregnancy gingivitis should only last the duration of your pregnancy and in some cases a little while after. However, if you don’t treat the problem straight away (a reversible problem) – it can advance into periodontitis. This will harm not only your gums but also the bone supporting your teeth (irreversible damage).

How can I treat Pregnancy Gingivitis?

You should visit your dentist ASAP if you show signs of pregnancy gingivitis. Your Dentist/Hygienist, will be able to guide you through prevention and intense cleaning to combat against the problem. Continue to Brush & Floss as normal even whilst the gums bleed.

Suffering from “Pregnancy Gingivitis”? Book In for a full Oral health check now.

NATIONAL SMILE MONTH

National Smile Month is the UK’s largest campaign to promote

Good Oral Health!!

Together, with thousands of individuals and organisations, National Smile Month helps to deliver three key messages…

They are:

• Brush your teeth twice per day – last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste (E.g.Colgate Total)

• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks (It’s not quantity its Frequency)

• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend (We like to see our patients every 3-6 months)

Organised by oral health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, this campaign helps raise awareness of important health issues and to make a positive difference to the oral health of millions.

So why not GET INVOLVED !!

Me and the team are not only promoting “National Smile Month” at the practice but we have also entered into the “Smileathon” .

What is the SMILEATHON ??

The aim is to snap as many selfies throughout the day with a “Smiley” and post on social media

via Instagram, Twitter, facebook

Simply @smilemonth into the caption and hashtag #mysmileyselfie  & #smileathon

The BEST photos will be published into the charities awareness booklets throughout the UK 

So gather up a few friends, family members or the work team and join in the fun.

Baby Teeth DO matter !

Myself, like many others around the world embraced our inner child/princess this month and joined thousands of excited children (and adults) at the cinema, to watch the long anticipated remake of

Beauty & The Beast  

Me and my sister decided to take my mum for mothers day, as it is her favourite Disney film of all time. Upon entering the cinema, I was well and truly taken back to my childhood. Little girls dressed as Belle (My Fancy Dress costume at primary school) all of the little boys pretending to not be excited to see a “Girlie” movie and better yet, fathers trying to hide the excitement and of course all of the mothers reliving a magical moment from their past, it was simply lovely.

Now I have been told and I am not ashamed to admit, that I am a big softy! The minute the movie began, my mascara had no chance of survival; tears of joy, laughter and even a little fear at certain points, were streaming down my face and then the “Song” came on. . .

 Tale As Old As Time !!!

#AMAZING

Easily the BEST scene of the entire movie, everyone captivated by the dress, fully engrossed in the moment and a little girl sat besides my mum starts screaming!!Crying her little eyes out and complaining of pain from her mouth. She had consumed an entire box of popcorn, a large Coca Cola and was currently in the middle of a bag of Jelly snakes . . . I think the pain speaks for itself.

I completely understand children wanting treats whilst out and about and especially in the cinema, however a box full of sugar doesn’t necessary have to be the “Go To” in order to fulfil the need.

Safe snacks can still be yummy snacks

 So due to the interruption I was inspired to write this blog

Baby Teeth DO matter !

Are baby teeth important ??

 Many people think baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll eventually fall out. The truth is baby teeth DO matter. Baby teeth, otherwise referred to as the 1st or primary teeth, are very important to a child’s development.

But new ones will grow ??

Yes this is correct, however the health of the “Baby” teeth are key to early development. They help:

• Foster good nutrition through proper chewing
• Aid in speech development
• Enable a child to pay attention and learn in school without the distraction of dental pain
• Save space in the jaw that is needed for proper development of adult (permanent) teeth

How many times should kids brush ??

2x per day – Morning and Night (Night time brushing is key)

For children under the age of 10yrs we always recommend brushing to be done or at least supervised by an adult.

Baby paste or adult paste??

Adult toothpaste – the entire family can use Colgate total. Children’s toothpaste doesn’t always have the correct quantity of fluoride therefore adult paste is best. (just a smear).

What is a safe snack ??

Carrot sticks, Cheese, Apples, Nuts, Sliced meats, Bagels, Pears etc.

(anything not containing sugar)

When should my little one see a Dentist ??

As soon as the first tooth starts to break through (Erupt). The dentist can be a scary place for anyone so getting your child used to the environment from an early age will help prevent fear in the future.

For more information on how to keep your children’s teeth healthy book in to our FREE Kiddie Clinic now !!