Dentist Sandy Springs: Oral Health and Pregnancy

More than 6 million women in the US become pregnant every year and 40% of them for the first time.  During pregnancy, women are at greater risk of experiencing poor oral health care, which has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.  Pregnant women are susceptible to oral infections, pregnancy gingivitis, periodontitis and oral pyogenic granulomas.  Results of varies studies regarding oral health literacy showed it was directly related with general health knowledge, and therefore, health outcomes of both the mother and the fetus followed the level of their general health knowledge.  These studies showed that the prevalence of low health literacy among pregnant women ranged from about 15 to 38% and was associated with older age women and women of minority status.[1]

Because of the low levels of oral health knowledge among these segments of the population, it is important for physicians and public health workers to be aware that a message should be tailored to direct pregnant women in these at-risk populations to seek out dental professionals who can alleviate potential oral health issues that might be related to complications in their pregnancies and the potential of adverse effects on their babies.

If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health care, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or by phone.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Thank you for all your referrals.  We truly appreciate them.

Information included is not dental or medical advice.  For your specific information

 be sure to consult your dentist.

Related articles

• Dentist East Cobb: Diet & Exercise May Prevent Gum Disease (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist: East Cobb: Healthy smile, healthy you! (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

---

[1] Jada, September 2012 at 972-979

Dentist East Cobb: Diet & Exercise May Prevent Gum Disease

Can working out improve your dental health? Yes, according to one study. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered that people of a normal weight who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet are less likely to have gum disease. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, suggests that a healthy lifestyle may help prevent periodontal disease.

Researchers took the same factors that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease into account when analyzing data from 12,110 participants. They found that those who exercised regularly, had healthy eating habits and maintained their weight were 40 percent less likely to develop periodontal disease than their counterparts. Those who met two of the criteria lowered their risk by 29 percent, while participants with just one healthy virtue had a 16 percent less chance of developing gum disease.

Overall, only 7 percent of those who met all three of the criteria had some form of gum disease. The participants who had a poor diet, limited physical activity and were considered overweight totaled 18 percent, suggesting that obesity can more than double your chances of developing periodontal disease.

Scientists aren't exactly sure why these factors may decrease your chances of developing gum disease. It's already known that healthy eating can help build up your immune system. Scientists now theorize that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may also help remove dental plaque from teeth. It's also believed that obesity promotes gum inflammation, while physical activity may decrease it.

While a healthy lifestyle may help improve your dental health, it's not a substitute for maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist twice a year are essential.  Since May of this year we offer in-house periodontal and endodontic services through Drs. Zinney and Lubell.  If we can be of service or answer any of your questions please feel free to give us a call or email.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: INVEST IN YOUR SMILE, YOU WEAR IT EVERYDAY... (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Roswell, GA: Dentist: New Directions in Oral Health Care (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist: Roswell: Healthy smile, healthy you! (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Women and Your Oral Health (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist serving Dunwoody: 8 Windows your overall health sees through dentistry. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Top 4 Reasons Not to play hooky from Your Dental Cleanings (therightsmile.wordpress.com)