Overseas Patients
FAQs about dental treatment during pregnancy:
Congratulations Mom-to-be! Soon you will have a little bundle of joy who will be the source of immense happiness. As your body prepares for this rewarding journey, don’t neglect your oral hygiene.
The sweet cravings, the morning sickness, the acid reflux, the hormonal changes all take a toll on the teeth and gums leading to swollen and tender gums and increased incidence of cavities.
Your dental health has a big impact on your overall health which has a major influence on the health of your baby, so it’s important that you maintain a good dental health routine throughout your pregnancy. There is a proven link between gum diseases in pregnant women and premature birth and low birth weight of the baby.
Dental treatments such as routine cleaning, fillings, root canals, extractions are safe throughout pregnancy. However, elective procedure are preferred to be carried out in the second trimester (14th to 20th week) as formation of the fetal organs is complete in this period and there is a less chance of side effects. It is important to have the permission of the gynecologist before going ahead with these procedures.
All dental procedures are safe to be carried out on an expecting woman. However, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU INFORM YOUR DENTIST ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY WHILE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT OR AT LEAST BEFORE GOING AHEAD WITH ANY PROCEDURES. This will help the dentist in planning out your treatment and take the necessary precautions while taking the dental xrays and also while prescribing medications.
A thorough dental cleaning during pregnancy helps clear the plaque build-up and reduces the soreness and inflammation in the gums.
No extra care for oral hygiene is required during pregnancy. However, the normal ways of maintaining teeth should be diligently followed. Proper twice brushing with the help of a fluoride toothpaste is required in order to minimalise the acid production. Flossing also helps clean the areas between teeth. Rinsing of mouth with plain water after having any juices or snacks is a must. Some women experience an increase in the gagging sensation. In such cases, a smaller head toothbrush or a finger brush can also be used. Also, avoid brushing teeth for at least half an hour after an episode of morning sickness as it takes time for the acid reflux to abate. Brushing immediately would result in enamel loss from the teeth. Rinsing the mouth with water immediately is okay.
FAQs about Oral Prophylaxis:
Oral prophylaxis (Scaling/ Dental cleaning) is a procedure which involves removal of dental plaque, stains, and tartar which deposit on the teeth and gum surfaces in the mouth. This removal is done with the help of an instrument called scaler, which results in thorough cleaning of teeth. A complete polishing of all the surfaces of teeth follows.
Dental cleaning is essential for the healthy maintenance of the gums. It removes all external stains which include food stains, tobacco stains, cigarette stains, drug-induced stains etc. A regular dental clean-up helps prevent many gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. It significantly reduces halitosis (bad breath) and bleeding gums.
It is recommended that everyone must get scaling and polishing done regularly. Medically compromised, physically-challenged and even pregnant women must get it done. Healthy gums lead to healthy teeth, directly affecting our nutrition.
Scaling and polishing is usually advised once every six months or once every year. However, in certain patients, it may be advised sooner depending on the frequency and intensity of the deposits on the teeth. It is akin to getting a car servicing done every few months, which helps the dentist maintain a follow-up on the treatment done and also catch any newly formed cavity early.
Oral prophylaxis is a relatively painless procedure. Mild discomfort is expected during the cleaning. Also, the amount of the stains and tartar govern how much discomfort is felt as well as the time required. However, with the latest equipment and machinery as well as various topical anaesthesia options, scaling largely falls into a pain-free treatment category.
Often patients experience some increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods for some time after the procedure. Also, the mobility of the weak teeth may increase for some time.
Is it wise to extract wisdom teeth?
We all know the pain and discomfort related to wisdom teeth eruption. The continuous dull ache, swelling, gum tenderness, limited mouth opening etc. In some severe cases, we see infection as well. As dentists we are often asked this question- Is it wise to extract wisdom teeth? IS it going to reduce our intelligence?Is the procedure safe?Will it affect my chewing ability? So let me answer these questions and bust a few myths today….
Wisdom teeth are the third molars which normally erupt in between the ages of 18-21 yrs of age behind all the other teeth. Usually a person has four wisdom teeth (one in each quadrant). Often because of their late time of eruption or when the size of the jaw is small,there is often no space for them to erupt completely. At such times, they get stuck behind the previous tooth or in the jaw bone. This is known as impaction. Our wisdom teeth are considered to be extra teeth or vestigial teeth.
The lack of space for teeth to erupt often gives rise to the symptoms related to the third molars. Pain, swelling, cheekbite, gum inflammatioin, pericoronitis, food lodgement,cavities,trismus etc. are commonly related to it. Hence, often it is advised to extract them before, during or after their eruption.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally a minor surgical procedure in which the gums are surgically opened, the bone (in which the tooth is stuck) is trimmed and sutures are placed after the removal. This procedure is generally safe and routinely carried out on the dental chair under local anaesthesia. The dentist may advise you some precautions along with the medication before and after the extraction,which have to be followed.
The process of extraction is usually done under local anesthesia which completely anaesthetises that area. The patient is conscious and alert throughout the procedure. The patient is aware of the pressure sensation but the pain is absent. However, in certain conditions, the dentist might prefer to do it under sedation/ general anesthesia in which case, the patient is completely unaware of the surroundings.
Yes. If your dentist deems it preferable to do multiple third molar extractions in the same sitting, it can be carried out. Though most dental surgeons prefer to extract two wisdom teeth at a time, removal of all four together is also possible.
As with every surgical procedure, a wisdom tooth surgey also comes with its share of complications. There are chances of sensory nerve damage, dry socket, pain, swelling, trismus, infection and hemorrhage depending on the medical condition of the patient, the position of the tooth, lack of post-operative care by patient etc.
Wisdom tooth extraction is normally a routine procedure carried out under local anesthesia in the dental clinic. Some rest and certain post-procedure instructions are generally advised for 24hrs. However, if your work involves any strenuous activity or a lot of continuous talking or if the dentist feels for any reason that the wound might be at harm due to your work, taking leave may be advised.
