Having a healthy mouth is essential to having good overall health and well being which is why proper dental care is so important throughout one’s life. There are some moments in life when dental care becomes even more important, like women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing.

Our dental experts have spent many years working with expecting mothers and know what it takes to ensure the health of mother and baby. We also understand that there may be some anxiety surrounded with going to the dentist for pregnant women, especially those who are experiencing it for the first time. Dental care during pregnancy is not only perfectly safe, but it’s also crucial to the health of both mom and baby.

“During pregnancy studies support that it’s best to have your teeth cleaned at 12 weeks and at 24 weeks.

This is proven to lower the bacterial levels and reduce the risk of pre-term low birthweight babies.”

Our team of experts has created this article to help answer any questions that expecting mothers may have about dental risks while trying to conceive, pregnancy and nursing as well as how to take care of your teeth and gums during and after pregnancy.

¿Hablas Español? También tenemos este artículo aquí en Español, (Spanish).

Table Of Contents

1. Pregnancy & Dental Care | Printable Resources
2. Dental Care While Trying To Conceive
3. Dental Care While Pregnant
4. Dental Care After Pregnancy During Nursing
5. Major Takeaways for Dental Care During TTC, Pregnancy and Nursing”>
6. FAQS – Dental Care While Pregnant
7. Investigative resources used in this article:

Printable Resources

What to Know When You’re Trying to Conceive (PDF)
The Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Health While Pregnant(PDF)
Dental Care for Nursing Mothers (PDF)

Questions to Ask Your Dentist (PDF) – Dr. Amanda Tavoularis compiled a list of questions you should be asking your dentist. Take this printable guide with you on your next appointment.

Dental Care While Trying to Conceive

Back To Table of Contents

As soon as you start trying to conceive (TTC), you and your baby’s health are the top priority. Most mothers go from minimally caring about their health and well-being to paying attention to every single thing they put into their body. TTC is a special time in your life.

You are attempting to create a human inside of your body and since a woman’s body is highly complex and many factors go into conception, you may wonder what could hamper it when it comes to dental care. Before your next dental appointment, here are some of the precautions you can take while you are TTC.

The Importance of Dental Care during TTC

Dental health can affect your chances of conceiving. This is why it’s imperative to take care of your teeth as much as you do your body when you are trying to conceive. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm, Sweden found that thousands of women with good dental health conceived two months earlier than those with gingivitis or periodontitis.

Women who suffered from oral issues such as periodontal disease took more than seven months to conceive compared to those who didn’t have the disease who took about five months to conceive, according to the University of Western Australia.

Also, it’s important to note that this statistically significant increase in conception time only was found in non-caucasian women. In Caucasian women, there was an increase in time to conception, however, it was not considered statistically significant. Ethnicity is a known risk factor for periodontal disease, along with other genetic factors. It is possible that non-Caucasian women have immune systems that are more susceptible to periodontal disease, and are also more likely to deal with the related health consequences of gum disease.

The positive benefits of dental care on your conception makes it vital that you regularly visit the dentist, the pros outweigh the costs. So while you may be nervous about things your dentist does to preserve your dental health, it is necessary for you to continue taking care of it as you are TTC. The good news is that there are some alternatives to some of the chemicals your dental care provider uses, just make sure to ask what your options are.

Dental Health and Male Fertility

Just like in women, dental health can also affect a man’s fertility. Several studies have found that men with poor oral health – either from untreated cavities or periodontal disease – are more likely to face male factor infertility. Cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease all involve high levels of bacterial growth in the mouth. Elevated levels of bacteria in the mouth may lead to increased levels of bacteria in other areas of the body. According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, oral diseases can influence men’s reproductive health. Anyone attempting to conceive should receive comprehensive oral evaluation and treatment.

Dental Care at Home

To prevent gum disease, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, but after every meal is better. When choosing toothpaste, you may want to look for non-fluoride. Adverse effects on reproduction have been found with high levels of fluoride, which is 100 ppm or greater. Lower concentrations did not show any effect. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste contains about 0.3 mg of fluoride. However, to be on the safe side, you can use non-fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste.

Some examples of fluoride-free toothpaste are:

• Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste – Triclosan and Fluoride Free
• Jason Nutrismile
• Botanique Toothpaste Neem & Pomegranate

There’s another chemical in toothpaste you should be aware of while TTC – triclosan. This chemical has been shown in studies to disrupt endocrine production, which can alter hormone levels and affect the reproductive system. It can also lower sperm count in men. In addition to fluoride-free toothpaste, you may want to seek triclosan-free ones as well. Simply look at the ingredients list on the toothpaste to see if it contains triclosan. Tom’s of Maine toothpaste is an option.

Mouthwash should be another fluoride-free choice. You can find many fluoride-free ones online and at the store.

Here are some safe chemical free mouthwashes:

• Sharp Natural Oral Care Mouthwash
• Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash
• Tom’s of Maine – Natural Cleansing Mouthwash Fluoride-Free Spearmint

Tom’s of Maine seems to offer great health products that are safe for ttc, pregnancy and after, due to the chemical free nature of their products. You can find their products online at Tom’s Of Maine. (not an affiliate link)

Flossing is highly important in preventing gum disease. While the flavored ones should be okay for you and your future baby, you can always choose the unflavored ones if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Seeing the Dentist During TTC

Due to the effects of dental issues on infertility and an unborn fetus, it is crucial for you to continue seeing your dentist during TTC for routine cleanings and procedures. There are precautions you should take, though.

• Cleanings

During cleanings, the dental hygienist will often check your teeth for oral issues such as gingivitis. This includes scraping plaque off your teeth, especially at the gum line. This procedure is safe since there are no chemicals used.



The polish, which many people think is toothpaste, is called prophy paste. This is a pumice-based gel that has an indiscriminate amount of fluoride in it. Dentists do not offer an alternative option because of the minuscule amount and low to no risk of impact on fertility.

Fluoride treatments are what you should be vigilant about when visiting the dentist. Since concentrated fluoride can decrease fertility in women due to reducing chances of implantation, it’s best to ask the dentist to skip the fluoride treatment while TTC. In addition, if your partner is seeing the dentist, you may want to advise him to skip the fluoride treatment too. It has been shown to lower sperm count, which can have an adverse effect on fertility.

• Review Your Gum Health

If you are trying to conceive, ask your dentist for a comprehensive review of your gum health. Since good gum health is important when it comes to conceiving it’s good to know the health status of your mouth. This is something your dental team should be doing already, but sometimes this doesn’t happen. Make sure your dental care team knows this is something you care about.

• Dental Procedures

When determining whether to seek a dental procedure, it’s important to weigh the risks vs. benefits. If the effects of the dental problems can be more harmful to fertility than getting the procedure, usually dentists will recommend moving forward with it. If the procedure can wait, such as in the case of teeth whitening, it’s best to do so until after you have the baby.

Cavities can be a tricky decision to make because they can cause a great deal of discomfort and do pose some risk to fertility and the development of a fetus. Metal fillings are composed of a mixture of alloys and liquid mercury. Fifty percent of the mixture is elemental mercury. The Food and Drug Administration find that it is a class II device, which means it has more risk than lower classifications. It’s the vapor the fillings give off that is troublesome, since it contains mercury. The exposure to the mercury is highest when the filling is placed and when it is removed and reduces afterward.

“While pregnant it’s best to avoid high levels of mercury because of its harmful effects on the fetus.

We recommend to postpone having several silver fillings removed while pregnant and to avoid certain types of seafood with high mercury content.”

Mercury can affect fertility for men and women making TTC more difficult. Mercury can affect sperm by lowering the zinc and manganese in them, which is what controls mobility. This can make it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. Sperm can also carry mercury and if the woman is hypersensitive to it, her body can kill off the sperm thinking it’s a threat.

For women, mercury alters hormone levels. It accumulates in the hypothalamus and pituitary, which is where the glands are for hormone production. This can cause a lot of problems with the menstrual cycle, hypomenorrhea, and hypermenorrhea.

When a filling is needed during TTC, ask the dentist for resin composite fillings. These are made of ceramic and plastic compounds. This may cost more money than the metal ones, but it may be worth it to help with trying to conceive. If you have many fillings already, you may want to consider having the metal ones replaced with the resin composite, which could decrease the amount of mercury in your blood.

Whenever you have a dental procedure, anesthesia may be a concern. While the biggest risk is for those who work with anesthesia, since the exposure is much more than those who receive it for a short time in a dentist’s chair, some of you may want to forego it if it is not necessary.

For those who work in dental offices, there have been reports of reduced fertility. Many dental procedures can be performed with Novocain. Since it is a local anesthetic, there is no risk to fertility.

You should always tell your dentist you are TTC because as you probably have already been made aware, it is inadvisable to have dental x-rays during it. While it is safe when they use the protective cover on your stomach and chest, some women feel better not having the x-ray at all, and most dentists will honor that request.

Dental Precautions to Take During Pregnancy

Back To Table of Contents

Let your dental office know once you are pregnant and how far along you are when you make your appointment. Let them know what medications you’re taking as well or if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Your dentist and physician may recommend that some treatments be postponed.

Dental Risks While Pregnant

Pregnancy Gingivitis

There are some dental risks to be aware if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Periodontal disease is one of the biggest risks during pregnancy. According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women have gingivitis, which is an early stage of periodontal disease. During pregnancy, hormones rise which causes gums to swell and bleed, increasing the likelihood of food getting trapped in them. This irritates your gums, which can lead to severe oral issues such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. These oral infections can cause serious harm to your baby including premature birth. Actually, up to 18 out of 100 premature births are believed to be triggered by periodontal disease.

If gingivitis is not treated, the gums can become infected and the bone that supports the teeth can be lost. Without this, teeth can become loose and may have to be extracted.

Periodontitis has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth and low birth weight. However, these adverse outcomes have not been fully explored and are not completely understood yet.

Tooth Decay

A woman who is pregnant may also be more prone to cavities. This can be due to eating more carbohydrates than usual, or morning sickness. Morning Sickness can increase the amount of acid your mouth is exposed to, which can eat away at your tooth’s enamel.

“It’s important to attempt to swish with water or better yet a teaspoon of baking soda with a 6 oz glass of water after an acidic attack like vomiting.

It’s equally important to avoid brushing for 30 mins afterward as the outer layer of tooth structure called the enamel is weakened by acid and it takes roughly 30 mins for our saliva to neutralize the pH.”

Brushing twice a day and flossing can sometimes take a backseat during pregnancy as well. Morning sickness, sensitive gag reflex, tender gums, and exhaustion can all lead to this. It’s important to keep up your routine as poor dental habits during pregnancy have been associated with premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.

Pregnancy Tumors

On some occasions, pregnant women may experience overgrowths of tissue called “pregnancy tumors” which appear on the gums most often during the second trimester. It is not cancer, rather just swelling that happens most often between teeth. They may be related to excess plaque and bleed easily. They have a red, raw-looking raspberry-like appearance. They usually go away on their own once the baby is born but talk to your dentist about removing them if you are concerned.

The elevated risk of dental problems during pregnancy means it’s essential to take good care of your teeth during this time. It’s recommended to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. While fluoride may have been somewhat of a risk in TTC, you are encouraged to use it during pregnancy.

Three months into your pregnancy, your baby develops teeth and the fluoride can help him or her grow strong, healthy teeth. It’s also critical during this stage to eat vitamin-rich foods, especially those containing vitamin A, C, D, and nutrients such as protein, calcium, and phosphorous.

Hopefully, you won’t experience any dental emergencies while pregnant, but there is the chance that you might. Dental emergencies include things like root canals or abscessed teeth. If you need to have a root canal done while pregnant, you can easily find an endodontist near you to complete the procedure. The sooner you can be seen by an endodontist the better.

Don’t forget to floss at least once a day. Since your gums are swollen and food gets trapped in them easily during pregnancy, flossing can get it out before it turns into a problem. Brushing gently, using floss, and a fluoride, non-alcoholic based mouthwash multiple times daily will preserve your oral health throughout pregnancy.

Whitening your teeth is not recommended during pregnancy at any stage. While there is no research that identifies what it is in whitening that could be potentially hazardous to your baby, dentists believe it’s best to wait until after the baby is born.
 

Dental Work During Pregnancy

If you need dental work during pregnancy, it’s best to wait until after the first trimester. The first trimester is the time all of your baby’s organs are being formed, so it’s best not to introduce anything that could potentially be a risk to your baby’s development.

If you need a dental x-ray during your second trimester, tell your dentist about your pregnancy. He or she may forgo the x-ray or if it’s really needed, use two lead cover-ups over your belly. The American College of Radiology reports a diagnostic x-ray does not deliver any significant amount of radiation that can lead to adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.

If a dental procedure needs to be done because the oral problem may lead to infection harming the baby, lidocaine is advised. It is the most common one for dental work during pregnancy and it is regarded as a Category B medication – indicating it is safe.

If anesthesia must be administered during pregnancy, it’s given in small doses until optimal comfort is achieved. Stress can have an adverse effect on you and your baby and can reduce the effectiveness of the anesthesia. Be sure to meditate or take part in some other stress-relieving activities before your appointment.

Following the dental procedure, you may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. It’s important to take this medication because infection can lead to problems with your baby’s development. Antibiotics regarded as safe during pregnancy (Category B) are:

• Penicillin
• Amoxicillin
• Clindamycin

Tylenol is the only suitable pain relief for pregnant women, unless the pain is extreme. In cases of severe pain, oxycodone may be prescribed. There are also codeine, hydrocodone and propoxyphene that have been regarded as safe during pregnancy. It’s best to speak to your dentist about any side effects of taking these pain medications during pregnancy.

As mentioned in the TTC section, amalgam fillings contain mercury. This mercury crosses the placenta. While research has shown no health effects from the fillings in pregnant women, some may want to avoid them. High levels of mercury can lead to brain damage, and hearing and vision problems for the developing baby.

It’s best if you do need to have a cavity filled to use the resin or other type your dentist will recommend. Keep in mind, other types of fillings may not be covered by your dental insurance. While you may have to pay out of pocket for them, it’s the best choice to avoid mercury exposure.

Dental appointments during the third trimester may be uncomfortable for you. Lying on your back in a dentist’s chair may not be possible. Schedule dental care during the second trimester if possible. If a dental appointment needs to be done during the third trimester, it’s important to ask the dentist to elevate your right hip to keep blood from pooling in your leg. If you do become faint, switch over to your side.

Dental health is more important than ever while you are pregnant. As scary as it may be to go to the dentist or clean your teeth with fluoride, trust in the research that advises it’s best for you and your baby’s development. Not caring for your teeth is much more of a risk than caring for it at this point, so be sure to schedule a dental appointment and keep up on your oral hygiene.

Dental Precautions While Nursing

Back To Table of Contents

• Dental Care at Home

Just as it’s important to keep your teeth healthy while you’re TTCing and pregnant, it’s essential during nursing too. Actually, it’s even more important because if you have a cavity or other oral issue, you may end up transferring those germs to your baby, even through simple things like sharing a spoon. Be sure to keep up with your dental routine by brushing twice a day, and flossing once, to help prevent cavities.

One of the concerns during fertility was the fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. This is not a concern while breastfeeding. Research has found no data on the excretion of fluoride into breast milk. However, there seems to be evidence that high concentrations of fluoride can decrease milk production. High concentration means 98 to 137 mg per kilogram of body weight. Since it’s nearly impossible to digest that amount with brushing your teeth and using mouthwash, it’s not a problem.

• Dental Procedures

Since x-rays for the teeth are close to the chest, many nursing mothers become concerned about radiation. The good news is you do not have to be wary of it. Not only will you be wearing the lead vest, but the radiation will not seep into and transfer to your baby via breast milk. The only effect it may have is killing off some of the living cells in the milk. Again, this is okay because those cells regenerate after feedings, so your baby won’t be affected.

If you need a cavity filled or another dental procedure, local anesthesia is acceptable during breastfeeding. Novocaine or lidocaine are both considered compatible (no risk for baby). In addition, most medications (oral or IV) for sedation are also compatible.

Laughing gas or nitrous oxide is also compatible with breastfeeding. The gas leaves the body quickly by going to the brain and then to the lungs out your mouth. After the laughing gas mask is removed, recovery only takes three to five minutes. For this reason, ingesting nitrous oxide via breastmilk is rare.

Major Takeaways for Dental Care During TTC, Pregnancy and Nursing

Back To Table of Contents

The major takeaways are to continue dental care through TTC, pregnancy, and nursing. Neglecting dental care is far worse than your exposure to potential toxins in the products you use.

If you believe fluoride may be the reason you’re having a difficult time conceiving, switch over to the fluoride and triclosan-free toothpaste and mouthwashes. Just switch back to fluoride toothpaste when you are pregnant, so your baby can benefit from it as he or she starts developing teeth. When you’re at the dentist, skip the fluoride if you’re TTC. You can always get it at your next visit if you are pregnant.

During pregnancy, wait until your second trimester to do any dental procedures (if that’s possible). Your dentist will discuss the risks vs. benefits of having dental procedures during the first and third trimesters. If you have a serious oral issue that could end up harming the fetus, it may be better to have the procedure done sooner than the second trimester.

After having your baby and during nursing, you don’t have to worry about any toxins with toothpaste, mouthwash, or flossing your teeth. Dental procedures are okay too including x-rays, Novocain, lidocaine, and even sedatives. If you need a long dental surgery, nurse your baby before it, and then after you are awake enough to hold your baby.

Additionally, we all know that dental work strikes when it wants, not when we want. If you have an emergency and need to visit a weekend dentist you may end up having to ingest something that isn’t on the approved list for breasfeeding. The solution is just to learn from the doctor how long it will be in your system and avoid breastfeeding during that period.

FAQS – Dental Care While Pregnant

Back To Table of Contents

Why is dental care so important during pregnancy?

Dental care is important during pregnancy because pregnancy hormones can increase your risk of developing oral disease which can affect the health of your developing baby.

How often should I go to the dentist while pregnant?

A healthy mouth supports a healthy pregnancy, so it’s important for you to continue regular dental visits twice a year while pregnant.

Can you get a teeth cleaning while pregnant?

Yes. Taking care of your mouth during your pregnancy is important for both you and your baby.

Do you have to tell your dentist you’re pregnant?

If you go to the dentist during your first trimester, tell your dentist that you’re pregnant and have only a checkup and routine cleaning. If possible, postpone any major dental work until after your first trimester.

How can I keep my teeth healthy during pregnancy?

To keep your mouth healthy throughout your pregnancy, brush twice a day and floss once a day. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet and visit your dentist regularly for routine check-ups and cleanings.

What trimester is safe for dental treatment?

If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. Once you reach the third trimester, it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time.

Investigative resources used in this article:

Back To Table of Contents

1. http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Oral-Health-Care-During-Pregnancy-and-Through-the-Lifespan
2. http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/dental-work-and-pregnancy/
3. http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/fluoride-topical.html
4. http://www.oralanswers.com/is-there-more-fluoride-in-a-pea-sized-amount-of-toothpaste-or-a-liter-of-water/
5. http://www.henryscheinbrand.com/media/WebAssets/WebMSDS/9003196UK.pdf
6. http://www.nap.edu/read/11571/chapter/8#186
7. http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/revamp-your-pregnancy-beauty-regimen
8. http://www.pregnancy.org/article/dental-work
9. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-teeth
10. http://americanpregnancy.org/medication/medication-and-pregnancy/
11. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pregnancy/concerns
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6199424/
13. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/pregnancy-and-oral-health.html

There is nothing more important than your child.And when it comes to medical care, parents will want the very best for them. Orthodontists are the experts behind a straight smile and, thanks to today’s technology, it is possible to predict the alignment of the teeth early on. But what can you do in order to choose the best pediatric orthodontist for your child? Here are five things you should consider.

Qualifications

The first most obvious factor to consider when choosing a pediatric orthodontist is to check their qualifications. These will likely be on display in the office and online. They will have first completed a Bachelor of Dentistry and then a Master in Orthodontics. If you can only see the Bachelor of Dentistry, then they might not have the correct skills to be performing orthodontic treatments on your child. For absolute certainty, you can check whether they belong to The General Dental Council. Every legitimate orthodontist will belong to this register as it is a mandatory action. For orthodontics and dentistry, it requires a very long time in education, and so orthodontists and dentists will want to broadcast their achievements widely. Essentially, they, themselves, are promoting their skills and expertise. They should want you to be able to trust them and understand that the good treatment of patients leads to more patients.

Experience with Children

As a parent, the likely thinking is that a person might be a trained orthodontist but how good are they with children. This concern will be higher for parents with autistic, overly shy, or anxious children. The first thing to learn is that an orthodontist should not be offended if you inquire about their experience with children. In fact, they will likely be pleased that you did. They will be able to talk you through their experience and how they handle each case differently depending on the individual. If you happen to know the parents of other children that have had braces you can always ask them who they used and how they were. A surgery with child-friendly decorations, toys, and activities is a good indication that your child will receive proper treatment. Testimonials are always important for pediatric orthodontists and it’s a big deal so the chances are slim that people would make them up.

Continuous Training

A sign of a really good pediatric orthodontist is how often they attend seminars and training courses. Just because they have completed their qualifications and attended medical school, it doesn’t mean that their learning is complete. Technology and medicine continue to advance, and so there are regular training sessions available for professionals to learn the latest techniques. An orthodontist that takes pride in what they do will want to be on top. They will want to be aware of all the advancements, techniques, and the latest equipment. This counts for a lot in orthodontics. If there is a more comfortable and successful treatment or method you would want your child’s orthodontist to be aware of it.

The Consultation Test

Almost all orthodontic practices will offer the first consultation for free. This is your chance to see for yourself the type of care that your child will receive. For all appointments, an orthodontist won’t be alone. Instead, there is a team that consists of a dental nurse, treatment coordinator, and an orthodontic therapist. The additional heads should mean that your child is in the very best care. This is also the time for you to inquire about the dental plan and the insurance coverage. During the consultation, you can observe how the team interacts with your child and how comfortable your child feels around them. Toward the end of the session, you should be fully informed about what procedure is needed and how long it would take. Because an oral examination is usually performed during the free consultation, you will also get the opportunity to see first-hand the approach and attitude that the orthodontist has toward your child. It will show the techniques they use to calm and reassure the child. Observe how often the orthodontist asks your child if they are OK and pay close attention to how your child acts toward them. Your child should also feel happy for that specific orthodontist to complete the orthodontic work in the future.

Professional Relationships

One of the top considerations should be your own dentist’s recommendations. Both dentists and orthodontists work are related, and they can both see the others work. If a dentist were to recommend a shoddy orthodontist, then they would end up with more work in order to correct it. Neither party should want this as it is entirely unnecessary. When your dentist does offer a recommendation, take to the Internet to find out what others are saying about them. Be sure to check multiple review sites including social media pages so that you can get the best understanding of the orthodontic professional. Before and after photos should be visible both online and in the surgery which will show their skills. Overall, if a dentist recommends an orthodontist, then it shows that a professional reputation has been built. It’s likely that you trust your dentist and they will know that so they wouldn’t want to recommend a lousy orthodontist to you that doesn’t care about oral hygiene or your child’s welfare and jeopardize that trust. After all, these people are poking around in your mouth near your teeth.

At the end of the day, orthodontists choose to stay on for further training which means that it’s a lot of hard work down the drain if they do not work to the expected standard. Braces can be fitted on adults; however, it is a lot more common for children to have them due to the fact that they are still growing. This is also what makes it so important that they have the alignment issue resolved as soon as possible. Failure to do this could lead to a lot of problems down the line.

Understanding the Process

Ah, the teething process. The part every parent dreads—more sleepless nights, the feeling of uselessness knowing that there’s nothing you can do. But secretly there a small sense of happiness deep down. Your child’s teeth are developing and breaking through. They are already growing up. Every child’s teeth are different and form in different ways. It is important for parents that have had a second child to understand this because if they start comparing the process to their first child, then they could become alarmed for nothing. Of course, a dentist appointment should be made when the teeth first appear so that they can be examined to ensure that everything is happening as it is supposed to.

Before Teeth Are Even Visible

Just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. Below the gums, the teeth are forming and getting ready to push themselves through. But just because they aren’t there yet doesn’t mean that you can’t look after them. Harmful bacteria will still gather on the gums and so it is recommended for parents to gently wipe the baby’s gums with a warm damp cloth. This should be done several times a day or after every feed. It will help to clear the bacteria and keep the gums in perfect condition, which, in turn, promotes healthy teeth. There are even small, soft rubber coverings that you can purchase which slides over the fingertip enabling you to wipe away any remaining food particles.

The Teething Process

Six months old is the common age for children to start getting their first teeth to come through. The very first visible teeth tend to be the bottom front teeth and are known as the central incisors. After that, the upper central incisors will likely appear. Once the first few teeth have come through, they generally start to break through in pairs one on the top and one on the bottom. This isn’t always the case, but it is quite natural as it reflects the symmetry of the bite. Luckily, the teething process rarely happens all at once. This allows the child to gain some relief and enables the parents to hopefully get a better night’s sleep. Sometimes, it could happen in bursts, the first few coming through first then nothing for a while, then a few more, and so on. In most cases, all of a child’s baby teeth are fully developed by the age of two to three and a half.

Taking Care of Baby Teeth

Unfortunately, some parents assume that because baby teeth eventually fall out, it doesn’t really matter if they are brushed or looked after as thoroughly as they should be. This is a very large mistake. In fact, baby teeth pave the path for the adult teeth. They create the proper spacing for the second set of teeth and also play a part in how the child will talk and eat. If baby teeth result in decay, it could very easily ignite gum disease that will have large repercussions for the formation and health of the adult teeth. One of the major causes of cavities in baby teeth is putting a child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.

Brushing Baby Teeth

So, now that we have established that brushing baby teeth are important, it’s time to discuss toothpaste. For children, a child-friendly toothpaste should always be used as their natural instincts will tell them to swallow the toothpaste. If a fluoride-based toothpaste is used and the child eats it, they could become very sick. That being said fluoride is still needed to help fight against cavities. Children can get sufficient amounts of fluoride from water. Getting your child into the routine of drinking decent amounts of water every day will enable them to get that fluoride that is needed. Most parents like to try and get their child in the routine of brushing their teeth themselves; however, nine times out of ten the child won’t (or can’t yet) clean them properly. Again, parents let it slide as they think it’s simply practice for when the adult teeth come through. However, as we have already established, it is extremely important to take care of the baby teeth, and so it might be best for the parent to brush the teeth themselves. In the dental industry, many dentists actually brush their own children’s teeth right up until the child reaches 12 or 13. By this point, the child is familiar with the exact process of a thorough dental hygiene routine, and it has now developed into a habit that they will probably carry on for the rest of their life. It’s completely understandable to want your child to develop the habit on their own, and so you could always encourage the child to start brushing their teeth themselves before redoing it properly.

It is a well-known fact that a majority of adults wish that they had taken better care of their teeth in their younger years. When children’s teeth arrive, it’s important that they understand how important it is to take care of them and brush them properly. Establishing and practicing a strong oral hygiene routine will start your children off on the right path for good oral health later in life. Don’t forget to book in for a dental check-up when the baby teeth start coming through, just to ensure that everything is forming correctly.

Relate Posts to Read:
Do Baby Teeth Have Roots? And Other FAQs

Loss of tooth structure or the whole tooth in primary dentition generally occurs due to dental caries or trauma to the tooth. Damage to the tooth pulp can affect the development of permanent teeth as well. We often tend to remove the affected tooth in children as it is common in thinking that the tooth will fall off sooner or later. But saving the teeth of children is just as important as it is for elders.

A dentist can examine and advise the best possible treatment for a tooth after reviewing it. However, saving a tooth and pulp tissue by root canal treatment is now a common practice. Let’s have a look at look why saving the tooth is critical for a child.

• Teeth add in mastication.
• Present primary teeth will guide the succedaneous teeth.
• Help to prevent psychological effects associated with loss of primary teeth.
• Loss of tooth will cause an aberrant tongue habit.
• Saving a tooth will prevent possible speech issues.
• And, of course, it maintains aesthetics.

Early loss of primary teeth can lead to the delayed eruption of the permanent teeth.

Sign and Symptoms for Root Canal Treatment

Your family dentist will review your child’s complete history as a general disease will require different treatment. They will also want to know if your child has had previous infections. When the tooth pulp is damaged the following sign occurs.

• Pain in the tooth. It may be sharp or dull.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold while eating.

Redness and swelling in that area on the gum tissue. Some children may not experience swelling because there could be a pimple-like sac present that drains the pus. But children will get a persistent bad taste in the mouth.

• Discoloration of the tooth.
• Unexpected or premature loss of a tooth.
• Diagnostic tests and X-rays

Diagnostic X-rays are vital as they provide actual footage of the inside of the tooth. Dentists will perform several other tests to observe the vitality of the tooth. They will check for pain in the tooth by tapping the tooth with the help of specific dental instruments. On taping an affected tooth, there should be a level of pain. In a perfectly sound tooth, no discomfort will occur when the tapping is performed.

Dentists will also check for temperature sensitivity by applying hold and cold stimulus on the tooth. A problematic tooth will react with pain when the stimulus is applied.

An electric pulp test is another performed experiment to again, check the vitality of the suspected infected tooth. The electric tester will pass a mild current through the tooth and patient will feel tingling in the tooth. If the patient does feel tingling in the tooth, then it means that the tooth is vital. Otherwise, it is non-vital.

Paediatric Pulp Treatment

Pediatric pulp therapy is mostly performed to save the infected and damaged primary tooth. It is very important to save the primary teeth as they will guide the permanent teeth into the designated spaces and can help them to break through. Pulp saving treatment is of two types.

1 – Pulpotomy

In Pulpotomy, the partial pulp is removed from the crown and pulp chamber which is infected. Leaving the healthy pulp in the root canals. After the removal of the infected pulp from the chamber, the tooth is filled with a disinfecting agent to prevent any further infection. If the crown is not affected that much, then the tooth structure is restored with a filling. Otherwise, a crown can be placed over the top.

2 – Pulpectomy

In pulpectomy, all of the pulp in the pulp chamber as well as in the root canal is infected and requires removal. This procedure is not painful. It is performed by giving local anesthesia so that the child will not feel any pain. After the removal of all the infected and necrotic pulp from the tooth and the root canal, a dressing, usually zinc-oxide eugenol as well as mineral trioxide aggregate, is placed in the tooth for several days. If the tooth is no longer painful, then it is sealed with an absorbent material and restored further with a regular filling or by placing the metal crown.

Why Root Canal Is a Choice Over Extraction

The Question of Why Performing a Root Canal in Baby Teeth Is Important?

Extraction of the infected or painful tooth is not a good option. With altered mastication and aesthetics, it creates alternative consequences as well. When the tooth is extracted or removed, the adjacent teeth move from their designated place to cover the space that’s created by the removal of the tooth. This prompts a change in the angle of the teeth. The leading permanent teeth find it challenging to erupt in their proper place and so impaction can occur.

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, aesthetic is also affected. Compromised aesthetics can cause psychological problems in young children.

Root canal treatment sounds like a very painful and tiring procedure. Maybe some people feel fear by hearing the words root canal treatment, but it is perhaps due to the lack of knowledge and other horror stories.

If you consult a dentist, they can assure you of the importance of saving the natural tooth. There is no alternative to a natural tooth. No one can advise you better than a dentist can when it comes to the extraction or restoration of a tooth. There is nothing quite as comforting as seeing your little one growup happy and healthy.

What Happens If the Tooth Is Left Untreated?

If an infected tooth is ignored and left untreated, the infection can spread to the nearby, surrounding tissue and the underlying bones as well. It can lead to severe pain, abscess formation, and even life-threatening infections.

Regular checkups and routine visits to the dentist will educate you about your little one’s dental health and all of the happenings occurring inside the mouth.

It is a huge relief if the problem is diagnosed early. It will not only be helpful for the dentist to catch the underlying cause, but also the child will not suffer from pain and other discomforts anymore. There is no such pleasure and happiness than to see your child smile and grow healthily. And one way in which you can do this is by helping them maintain good oral health!

Relate Posts to Read:
Do Baby Teeth Have Roots? And Other FAQs

It is normal for babies to suck their thumbs or use pacifiers for comfort, but after a certain age, complications from prolonged pacifier use can result in oral development issues in a baby. Although pacifiers are a great way to soothe a fussy baby, prolonged pacifier use can result in the incorrect development of a baby’s teeth. This is why it is important for a parent to use pacifiers the right way. It is also important for parents to practice weaning their babies off of pacifiers after a certain age to prevent the incorrect development of their teeth and/or other oral health issues.

What Are Pacifier Teeth?

Babies who overuse their pacifiers can develop certain dental problems and development issues in their mouths. One common problem a baby can develop after prolonged pacifier use is pacifier teeth. Prolonged pacifier use can cause misalignment in a baby’s jaw, affecting the development of their teeth. This means that long-term use of pacifiers can also affect how a baby’s mouth and teeth grow. Pacifiers can cause a baby’s upper front teeth to tip forward, resulting in crooked teeth and future bite problems, leading to other potential problems in the positioning of the teeth as well as in the alignment of the jaw.

As a baby grows and develops, anything that is in their mouth for a long period of time can result in dental and oral development issues. Some dental issue which can occur as a result of pacifiers include:

• Bite problems
• Incorrect jaw alignment
• Front teeth that protrude
• Crooked teeth
• Issues in the roof of a mouth

What Are the Benefits of Pacifiers?

If used the right way, there are many different benefits of pacifiers. These benefits include:

• Minimizes the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
• Provides relief during certain medical procedures
• It is easier to wean babies off of pacifiers than thumb sucking
• Calms and soothes babies

How Do I Avoid Pacifier Teeth?

To avoid the development of pacifier teeth, it is important to start weaning your baby off from their pacifier by two years old. To help with the process of breaking the habit, a parent can start by rewarding their child with something each day or night their baby does not use their pacifier.

In addition to ensuring that your baby does not develop pacifier teeth, you should also be sure to follow your child’s regular dental routine, cleaning your child’s teeth twice a day. Avoid prolonged use of a pacifier and only use it when your baby is extremely fussy. You should also try to break the habit before your baby’s permanent teeth start to grow it.

While weaning a baby off of their pacifier, a parent can also search for alternatives to pacifiers.

How Do I Wean by Baby off of a Pacifier?

If you are trying to wean your baby off of their pacifier and are searching for alternatives to help your baby during the process, there are many different things you can consider. Some solutions that can help you wean your baby off of their pacifier include:

• Replacing a pacifier with a comfort item such as a blanket or toy
• Rocking your baby to sleep
• Maintaining a regular sleep routine
• Rewarding your baby for not using their pacifier
• Gradually decreasing how often your baby is using a pacifier

Consult with a Dentist Today

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that similar to long-term thumb sucking, long-term use of pacifiers can affect the oral development of babies. When infants start teething, it is important to make sure you establish a regular oral health routine and have your child visit a dentist before their first birthday to ensure that their teeth and gums are in good shape. In addition, you should avoid long-term pacifier use, particularly after your baby is two years old or when their adult teeth start growing in.

As mentioned above, many oral health professionals recommend that a child visit the dentist before their first birthday to ensure the baby is developing well and to identify any issues or oral health problems early on. Another issue apart from pacifier teeth that can occur during infancy is tooth decay which can result from baby bottle use. This can occur when acid on teeth formed by bacteria damages tooth enamel, which can cause future cavities.

If you notice any issues with the development of your child’s teeth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to rule out any oral health issues which could cause problems down the road. If your child uses a pacifier and their adult teeth are beginning to grow in, it may be the right time to start weaning them off of the pacifier to prevent these development issues. Prolonged use of pacifiers can result in crooked teeth, alignment issues, and development issues which could affect the oral health of your child. Practice a good routine to wean your baby off of their pacifier to avoid any of these future problems. If you have any questions or concerns about the oral health of your child, consult your dentist today and be sure to start a consistent oral hygiene routine for your baby early on in their life to ensure the proper development of their teeth.

Relate Posts to Read:
Baby Bad Breath: Most Common Causes and Remedies

Teething Fever Home Remedies

It is highly unlikely that a child who still has baby teeth has incurred enough staining to have noticeably yellow teeth. If they have then the first question should not be “is teeth whitening safe?” but rather “how did their teeth get to this point?” It is not recommended that young children consume the types of food and beverages that normally cause staining, such as coffee, tea, soda, and red wine. Therefore, if any of these are currently given to them on a regular basis the consumption should stop.

The safety of traditional teeth whitening for children with baby teeth is doubtful. It should certainly not be used in children who are too young to brush unsupervised or use mouthwash since the risk of swallowing the whitening agent is even higher in both potential and ramifications than with adults. Baby teeth are smaller and thinner than adult teeth so the potential for sensitivity that already accompanies whitening is even greater with children. Home whitening kits are also tailored for adult mouths, so there is a much greater chance that damage to the gums will occur if you attempt to use them on a child.

In the rare case where your child has yellowing of their baby teeth due to extenuating circumstances, you can consult their dentist to determine whether or not whitening is appropriate but, in general, it is not recommended to perform this process on children who still have their baby teeth. If environmental factors have led your child to have stained teeth before their baby teeth fall out then take this as a learning experience and help guide them to better dental hygiene with their adult teeth when they grow in. Whitening should especially not be done when the child is in between states where they have both baby and adult teeth. The adult teeth that are whitened will likely be brighter than subsequently erupting adult teeth and the coloring will be permanently off.

If your child is a teen with all of their adult teeth and decides they want to do some whitening then first you should consult with a dentist. Whitening is a strictly cosmetic procedure and there can be side effects such as increased sensitivity and gum damage if not done properly. The dentist can advise whether the child’s teeth truly are yellowed to the point of benefitting from whitening.

The risks of whitening to a child with a full set of adult teeth are the same as for an adult. The whitening process can cause increased sensitivity to temperature and if the gums are not protected during the process they can become irritated. Chemical whitening is a process that has diminishing returns. With each application, the teeth tend to become more and more sensitive and the risk of damaging the gums becomes greater. For this reason, it is wise to hold off on this process for as long as possible.

Many fall into the trap of thinking that they can do full whitening whenever the shade of their teeth reaches an undesirable level and then resume normal habits afterward. In fact, the best chance you have of retaining your pearly whites is to avoid staining consumables and maintain proper hygiene. At some point, whitening will no longer be an option, so it is best to maintain good dental practices and whiten sparingly. Beginning the whitening cycle in the childhood years can quickly lead to unrealistic cosmetic expectations and long-term damage to the teeth. It is, therefore, imperative to only begin this cycle once truly necessary.

To summarize all of this discussion and answer the question, “Is teeth whitening for kids safe?” our recommendation is NO for children who still have their baby teeth, and technically yes if they have their adult teeth. In both cases, there are other natural suggestions we would make before turning to chemical and professional services. These are some less extreme and more natural ways to improve the brightness of your kid’s smile:

1. Eliminate staining food and drink from their diet. While this practice on its own will not whiten the teeth, not doing so will counteract any measures you might take and further stain already yellowed teeth. If it is totally impossible to accomplish this then at least make sure to use a straw for all staining beverages. This will move the liquid past the visible front teeth and reduce the amount of contact it has with all the teeth in general.

2. Use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. This seems like another obvious recommendation but these formulas, when used regularly, can remove some surface staining and lighten teeth by several shades with practically no negative side effects that usually come with whitening treatments.

3. Visit the dentist regularly. It is recommended that every six months you get a check-up and cleaning. During your visit, the surface of your teeth is polished which helps to remove surface stains.

4. There is some anecdotal evidence that certain fruits like strawberries and pineapple can help remove stains and whiten your teeth. Once or twice a week you can try mashing some of this fruit up and brushing with it. Of course, for better health overall, you can simply incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet on a regular basis, with an emphasis on the ones that can brighten your teeth.

5. Activated charcoal has been making headlines lately as a way to gradually whiten your teeth without using any harsh chemicals. Look for a product that comes highly reviewed and recommended, preferably with actual before and after results. These tend to require several weeks of regular use before an effect is seen but many who have had success with charcoal claim it works better and faster than commercially available whitening toothpaste. This should be safe for children who can be trusted not to accidentally swallow the mixture as they brush. They may also find the process fun and look forward to it as it will turn the mouth and gums black for a short time, like a zombie.

Wisdom teeth are formally known as the third molars as that is their actual position and function in the mouth. Since they come in several years after the rest of the teeth, however, the moniker “wisdom teeth” gets applied. Wisdom teeth come in so late because the mouth and jaws must be almost fully grown and developed in order to ensure adequate room for this last row to appear. Unfortunately, for many reasons, it is often the case that one or more of the four wisdom teeth is impacted or grows in incorrectly. When this happens and goes untreated there can be a whole host of complications, such as pressure on and crowding of the other teeth, infection, and even damage to the jawbone and nerves around the tooth site.

Given the high frequency of impacted wisdom teeth and the severity of their complications, most dentists will keep an eye on the development of wisdom teeth before eruption. These teeth develop in a sac in the jaw, beneath the gumline. They can, therefore, be viewed with X-rays as they grow. Dentists usually take at least one set of X-rays per year in order to monitor various situations in the mouth and jaw, like cavities. Being able to check the progress of wisdom teeth is just another benefit and allows the dentist to gauge the potential for problems for the patient long before any symptoms come up.

In some cases, one may not have the ability to visit the dentist on a regular basis. This may be due to finances, availability, or a severe phobia. Sometimes, even people who reach adulthood with no problems from their wisdom teeth may start having complications and need to get them removed. If any of these situations apply to you, then it can help to understand what symptoms to look out for in order to determine if further action needs to be taken.

Pain

A classic symptom of trouble coming from your wisdom teeth is pain. This can occur in multiple ways. The impacted tooth may be pressing on the second molars and causing them to ache. The pressure may even be transferred to other teeth and cause painful crowding if the jaw is smaller or underdeveloped. Sometimes, pain in your molars may also be caused by bruxism or grinding your teeth. To rule this out as a cause of the pain you are experiencing, you can try wearing a night guard in the evenings. If there is no relief after a couple of weeks then your untreated wisdom teeth is more likely to be the culprit.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and not growing in properly you may have pain in your gums. This can be either sharp and occasional or achy and persistent. Redness, bleeding, and swelling can also accompany this pain. If an infection or abscess has occurred then there will likely be pain both in the gums and in the jaw itself. The jaw can be both painful and swollen and you might also have difficulty opening your mouth all the way.

Crowded or Crooked Teeth

In some cases, the impacted wisdom teeth might be putting enough pressure on the other teeth to move them but not enough to cause pain. If you notice that the teeth have started to become misaligned or overcrowded then the wisdom teeth might be shoving things around. This is especially concerning if you are past the pubescent years since at that point your jaw and teeth tend to be set in the position that they should be in permanently.

Infection

If an infection or abscess develops around the wisdom tooth, there may be other symptoms besides pain. The area can be unusually warm to the touch and swollen. The infection material may also cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth if it seeps out or bursts. The presence of infection can also cause you to have unusually bad breath. In some cases, a mild grade fever can also develop since the body is trying to fight the infection off. If your wisdom teeth have gotten to the point where these symptoms are present then it is imperative to visit the dentist and have the teeth removed so the infection can clear. Not treating this can cause serious damage to the nerves and jaw.

Conclusion

There are many ways in which wisdom teeth might come in improperly and cause problems in the mouth. They might grow forward into the second molars or grow in backward toward the back of the mouth. They can also grow in sideways in any direction or not even fully form at all and instead simply cause irritation and infection. Depending on which situation occurs the possible symptoms can change. For example, a tooth growing in sideways or backward will probably not cause any pain or crowding in the other teeth but can certainly cause jaw pain.

It is very important to visit your dentist on a regular basis to keep an eye on the development of your wisdom teeth. It is not possible to prevent the wisdom teeth from growing in improperly or becoming impacted, but the dentist can usually identify the situation and schedule you for extraction long before this becomes a problem. If regular visits are not possible then pay attention to your symptoms and do not write them off, especially if they increase in severity over time. If you are experiencing any of these then a visit to the dentist is essential, as not treating problem wisdom teeth can cause much greater complications down the road.

Relate Posts to Read:
What Does Impacted Wisdom Tooth Pain Feel Like?

When one has an underbite there are several concerns to explore. The most obvious is the cosmetic aspect. Since underbites are rare they can be seen as an undesirable look or even a “defect” even if there is nothing dentally wrong with the person’s mouth. The person may want to fix their underbite solely for this reason. Underbites are also a form of malocclusion so those with an underbite should be evaluated by their dentist to ensure there are no negative effects developing.

In the case of a malocclusion, complications can arise as the person ages. Since the jaws are not optimally aligned, their teeth may come into contact in an odd fashion and cause damage or premature wearing down of the enamel in spots. They may develop a condition called TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. This disorder results in chronic pain and soreness in the jaw and is caused by the incorrect jaw or tooth alignment. Those with an underbite may also have difficulty with daily oral activities such as speech and eating. For all of these reasons, it is often advised to correct the underbite.

There are several methods for dealing with an underbite:

1. The upper jaw may be enlarged to protrude over the bottom. This is done with widening appliances and retainers, with a potential round of braces to realign the lower and upper teeth once the jaw reaches the proper size.

2. External gear, such as a chin strap, may be worn for many hours a day over a period of time to encourage the lower jaw to come forward.

3. Braces can be used to adjust the teeth.

4. Jaw surgery can be performed to realign the bite.

The first two methods are usually only available for use on children. This is because they are still growing and their musculoskeletal system is still able to be molded.

It is therefore important that any child with an underbite be evaluated by a dentist while they are still young enough to begin a remediation program if necessary. The ADA recommends that children have their first dental visit by the time they are seven years old.

If an adult has an underbite then their only two options are braces or jaw surgery. If the bite is purely dental in nature then they should be eligible for braces, which is the less invasive and easier of the two methods.

If the underbite is caused by an underlying skeletal condition then surgery tends to be the only available option. This is a quicker procedure than months of wearing braces but there is also a recovery period of several weeks in which the jaw is wired shut and the patient must consume a purely liquid diet. Many do not find this situation to be ideal.

“Some patients develop an anterior crossbite, which can look like an underbite because the lower front teeth are actually flared in front of the upper front teeth. Many times this happens due to an underdeveloped upper arch. Braces and elective extractions are used to correct this condition. Your orthodontist will be able to distinguish the difference between this condition and a skeletal underbite, which requires surgery to correct.”

Dr. David Hudnall

For those who are lucky enough to be able to use braces to fix their underbite, it helps to know exactly how they work and what to expect. Everyone’s teeth are different but usually, if the underbite is due to a dental cause then the patient probably has some combination of forward-angled or protruding lower front teeth and possibly gaps between teeth. The purpose of the braces, in this case, is to realign the teeth around the jaw, close up gaps, and reign in the front teeth.

Ideally, this will compact everything and straighten up the front teeth so that the arrangement of teeth in the lower jaw is within the arc of teeth on the upper jaw; therefore, turning the underbite into a minor overbite or at least lining the two rows of front teeth up with each other. In some cases, the underbite may be caused not by erroneous lower teeth but by the upper front teeth being angled inward. This situation would be corrected by coaxing the top front teeth forward and out from behind the lower teeth.

In either case, the mechanics of the braces themselves are basically the same. The dentist or orthodontist will take tooth impressions and X-rays in order to get a full picture of the oral situation and develop a plan. When it comes time to install the braces, small square brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth. An archwire is then attached to the row of brackets with small rubber rings. The archwire provides continuous pressure to encourage the teeth to realign in the way that the dentist or orthodontist is intending to fix the bite. Over the course of the process, the archwire may be swapped out multiple times to continue to provide adequate shaping pressure as the teeth move around.

This is the basic method in which underbite braces are applied and operate. In some cases, the additional gear may be incorporated, such as using elastics to adjust the overall bite alignment. After the teeth have been moved into the proper position the braces will be removed by prying each bracket off and buffing away any residual dental cement. It is essential to take very good care of your teeth in the time that you have braces since food can become stuck more easily.

Not brushing properly or eating and drinking too much staining food can also yellow the exposed teeth while leaving lighter squares where the brackets were attached, which can look quite odd. After having braces removed the dentist will almost always follow up with a retainer.

It is very important to use the retainer as directed and for as long as the dentist advises so that the teeth do not shift back and undo all the hard work that the braces accomplished. Do not skip this step or you will be back to where you started!

Relate Posts to Read:
Underbite: Cause and Treatment for this Condition

Background

An underbite can be a tricky situation to deal with. Since it is much rarer than an overbite, those who have one can feel like they stick out or look odd. Underbites can also cause complications such as speech impediments, a slightly uneven facial appearance, bad bite problems resulting in difficulty eating or swallowing, and damage to the teeth due to the enamel being worn down in unnatural areas. Sometimes, it is possible to live ones whole life without having any complications from their underbite, but in many situations, a dentist will recommend having it corrected through corrective jaw surgery or similar methods.

Underbites usually show up for genetic reasons. If a parent or grandparent had an underbite then there is a possibility that their children will be born with one. There are two underlying physical causes for an underbite: dental misconfiguration (such as a misaligned jaw) and skeletal positioning.

In either case, it is much easier to treat this situation when the patient is a child than if they wait until they are an adult. The mouths of children are still growing and can be manipulated through a variety of appliances and procedures to correct the underbite early. It is very rare that a child having their underbite corrected would need to go the surgical process for bite correction or lower jaw alignment.

If one reaches adulthood with an underbite and decides to correct it then they are going to either be getting braces or having to undergo surgery. There is not much personal choice between these two procedures since braces alone will only work if the underbite is caused by dental misalignment. If the underbite has any skeletal causes, then there is no other option besides corrective underbite surgery.

Procedure

Going the surgical route can seem like a scary thing but fixing an underbite is far from open heart surgery. In most cases, the jaw is simply misaligned, though sometimes it may be overdeveloped as well and need to be reduced in size. To prepare for the surgical plan, the dentist or orthodontist will take X-rays to get a good idea of the underlying skeletal structure. They will then work with an oral surgeon to come up with a plan to correct the bite.

When the surgery starts the patient is given general anesthesia and put under so they will not feel or be aware of any part of the procedure. For some, this is a relief. Minor procedures like wisdom teeth extraction usually start with a hit of anesthetic that gradually wears off toward the end, but underbite surgery is a different situation. This surgery can take several hours so there is an anesthetist there to make sure the patient is under the whole time. If you are worried about being knocked out then be rest assured that the anesthetist’s focus will be on your vitals and the anesthesia the whole time to make sure you are okay while the surgeon operates.

As for the surgery itself, the process is usually simple. The surgeon will make incisions at the back of the lower jaw, near the wisdom teeth, to get to the bone. Once there they can modify and slide the front part of your jaw back to reposition it where the best bite alignment is. Take a look at the graphic for the underbite modification in this article to get an idea of where exactly the modification is occurring.

If the front jaw bone is repositioned but not reattached internally with plates and screws, then the jaw will need to be wired shut for several weeks, usually up to six, to allow it to heal in place. A patient who has had their jaw reattached with plates and screws should not need to be wired shut but will have some major dietary restrictions during the first few weeks of the healing phase.

While it is important to not stress the jaw at all in the early stages of healing, the discomfort will probably be enough to not make you want to cheat on your liquid and soft food diet. Though this phase may feel difficult to get through it will not last long and you will be rewarded with a fantastic smile.

“A true skeletal underbite occurs when the lower jaw develops structurally to be much larger than the upper arch. To correct the problem surgical intervention is required to move the lower jaw backwards, allowing it to be aligned with the upper arch. Then braces are used to move the teeth into their proper position so that they will interlock when chewing.”

Dr. David Hudnall

Recovery

After surgery, the patient will be allowed to wake naturally from the anesthesia and usually is kept overnight for the first evening. Pain relieving medication will be administered and the patient will be restricted to a liquid diet for a few days unless their jaw is wired shut. In the case of needing to wire the jaw shut then only a liquid diet will be able to be consumed.

In either case, after about six weeks the healing should be at an end and the patient should be able to eat normally again. There will be facial swelling for the first few days and pain may last several weeks as the jaw heals. After they have left the surgery facility the patient will be asked to return for check-ups at regular intervals for the first three months in order to monitor the progress of the healing.

While this is the process that the surgery takes, it should also be understood that underbite surgery is usually also accompanied by orthodontic installations such as braces either before or after the surgery. Sometimes braces are needed in both phases. This is to help resolve any dental misalignment that is present since the underbite surgery only addresses the jaw positioning as a whole. Everyone’s mouth is different so your experience and treatment plan will be unique to you.

Underbites are not something that anyone wants and it is perfectly fine to want to fix yours for cosmetic reasons. Parents tend to want to spare their children from uncomfortable and embarrassing things like retainers and headgear if there is no medical reason to subject them to it. That does not mean their adult children will always thank them for it though! If you are looking at getting underbite surgery, hopefully, this information has helped you make your decision. It is a fairly simple process that does take a few weeks of recovery time, but in the end, you will have the straightened bite that you are looking for.

Relate Posts to Read:
How Do Underbite Braces Work?

Overbite vs. Underbite: A Beginner’s Overview

While general teeth crookedness is very common, there are also several ways in which one’s overall bite may not be ideal, known as a ‘bad bite’ and orthodontic treatment is called for. When the bottom jaw and upper jaw are misaligned in some fashion this is called a malocclusion. The most frequently occurring malocclusion is a deep overbite of the upper front teeth, and there is an opposite type of misalignment that is much rarer called the underbite. The names of these two conditions are fairly descriptive of what exactly they are. In an overbite, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth vertically. It is also usual for there to be some amount of space horizontally between the front teeth and the teeth on the bottom which are behind them. Conversely, if one has an underbite this means that their front teeth are in front of and overlap the top teeth. Visualize the stereotypical bite of a bulldog to get a better idea of what this looks like. It is less common for underbites to also include a significant amount of space between the two rows of teeth.

Both overbites and underbites are mostly natural occurrences based on several factors. Though they appear different they actually are caused by many of the same things. Genetics is one of the biggest causes when a child develops a malocclusion. If the parents and grandparents had one or the other it is most likely that the children will also have it. There was actually a famous European Royal dynasty called the Habsburgs who had many occurrences of underbite in their family. This happened so much with them that it coined the term the Habsburg jaw.

Another reason one might develop either an over- or underbite is if they used a pacifier or frequently sucked their thumb when they were a small child and their adult teeth were growing in. Underbites may also be caused by tongue thrusting and be an open mouth breather. Both of these situations push the tongue against the bottom set of teeth instead of allowing it to rest neutrally in the middle of the mouth. Over time, this can cause the bottom front teeth to push outward past the top row. There is a subset of overbite called an overjet where the teeth not only come out over the top of the bottom teeth, but they actually protrude abnormally far forward at an angle. An overjet may also be caused by abnormal oral habits such as tongue thrusting.

Overbites and underbites tend to be corrected in similar manners. If the bite is caused for purely dental reasons, meaning that the teeth are simply misaligned, then braces or a retaining appliance can be used to move the teeth back into proper alignment. Sometimes, the misaligned bite is caused by the jaw structure and the only way to properly fix it is to do surgery to realign the jaw itself. This is a more uncommon situation and treatment.

In some cases, the misaligned bite is caused by either the top or bottom jaw growing to be too large or too small. If the misaligned bite is caused by either jaw being too narrow then a multistep process may be used by a dentist to fix it. First, the width of the jaw is expanded using some form of adjustable appliance or retainer. After the jaw has been expanded wide enough to accommodate a proper arc, braces will be used to bring in the front teeth and reform the set of all the teeth. A retainer is usually used for years after the fact to ensure things do not shift around. In cases where the jaw needs to be expanded to fix the overbite or underbite, this procedure can only really be done during the childhood years while the mouth is still growing and able to be adjusted. It is, therefore, important that all children have had an initial dental examination around the age of seven, and certainly no later than ten, so that an assessment can be made as to whether or not there are any orthodontia problems.

Though there are certainly cosmetic reasons to correct a malocclusion, both the overbite and underbite can cause physical problems as one gets older. Because the teeth are misaligned they are not hitting each other in the correct spots when the jaw is shut and can cause fracturing, general pain, or other damage. This can especially be exacerbated if the person grinds their teeth at night and does not wear a night guard. Misaligned jaws can also be the cause of general jaw pain, speech impediments, trouble eating, and various other complications. Those with an overbite that has more than a few millimeters of space between the two rows of teeth are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea since the lower jaw is further back, resulting in a smaller airway that can collapse easily during sleep.

There are external cosmetic consequences to having a malocclusion as well. An underbite will thrust the chin out further than it should be and conversely an overbite generally results in the chin being drawn back further towards the neck than is normal. Depending on the case your chin may either appear much larger or much smaller than it really is. In children, there are appliances that gently coax the jaw of an underbite forward over the span of many months, but usually, the only way to correct this as an adult is with a surgery that realigns the jaw. Since the surgery option has cosmetic implications but can be costly and more invasive then simply correcting the bite on a dental level, it may not be necessary if you are not experiencing any other complications from your misaligned bite.

Most people have some form of overbite but only your dentist will be able to tell you if it is a serious misalignment. If you ever have any trouble with eating, speech, or pain then see them right away for a consultation. Even later in life, these situations can be corrected.

“The window of time for ideal treatment closes fast as a child grows, so this early evaluation is vital for the best outcome. It’s always best to have a child examined earlier rather than later.”
Dr. Greg Grillo

Relate Posts to Read:
Underbite: Cause and Treatment for this Condition

How Underbite Surgery Works and What Is Involved