Pregnancy is an exciting time for many women as they prepare to welcome a new addition to their family. However, it’s essential to remember that pregnancy can also affect your oral health, leading to issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. To gain a deeper understanding of how pregnancy impacts your oral health, continue reading and discover valuable insights from Dr. Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Gums?
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is not necessarily caused by pregnancy. Still, it can worsen pre existing gum disease. Pregnancy hormones can cause changes in the chemical composition of your body, leading to changes in vitamin and mineral levels, and altering the soft tissue around the gums. As a result, symptoms of gingivitis can increase in severity throughout pregnancy, reaching a peak during the third trimester. While most symptoms should recede a few months after birth, severe gum disease, or periodontitis, can increase in severity with pregnancy. Periodontitis in women is linked to premature birth and low-weight birth, with studies showing that roughly 18% of premature births can be associated with periodontal disease.
Speech development is a critical aspect of a child’s growth and development. Communication is an essential skill that impacts academic and social success. However, speech impairments can affect a child’s ability to communicate effectively and can result in frustration, anxiety, and isolation. To learn more about how orthodontics can effectively address speech impediments, keep reading and find out how Dr. Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics can help.
Orthodontics can play a significant role in improving a child’s speech by correcting malocclusions that affect speech patterns. Malocclusions, such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites, can cause speech issues by impacting the tongue’s placement and regulating airflow during speech.
Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can correct these malocclusions and improve speech by altering the anatomy of the mouth. By adjusting the position of the teeth and jaws, orthodontics can help the tongue connect with the alveolar ridge correctly and regulate airflow during speech, resulting in clearer speech sounds.
Orthodontic treatment can also work alongside a speech pathologist or other healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive plan to improve speech. However, it is important to note that orthodontic treatment may not always be the sole solution for speech problems. In some cases, jaw or orofacial surgery may be required to correct severe speech impairments.
If your child is experiencing speech difficulties, it may be beneficial to consider orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist can evaluate your child’s mouth’s anatomy and determine if orthodontics can improve speech. Early intervention is key, and by addressing malocclusions at an early age, you can help your child develop clear and effective communication skills.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment and learn how orthodontics can benefit your child’s speech development.
Orthodontics is often thought of as a way to improve the alignment and appearance of your teeth, but did you know that it can also benefit your respiratory health? Your orthodontist is specially trained to identify and treat a range of issues beyond just your teeth, including respiratory disorders like asthma and sleep apnea. In this post, Dr. Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics provide valuable insights on how orthodontics fits into the treatment of respiratory disorders.
Asthma is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have negative effects on your oral health, including decreased saliva production and an increased risk of tooth decay and cavities. Your orthodontist can help by adjusting your treatment plan to accommodate your asthma symptoms. By doing so, they can ensure that your orthodontic treatment doesn’t exacerbate your respiratory issues.
The mouth is a complex and intricate part of the human body. If you’re considering braces or Invisalign, it’s important to know all about the structure of your mouth, so that you can make an informed decision about what type of treatment will work best for you! Being well-informed about the intricacies of orthodontic treatment is highly advantageous for both patients and parents. Recognizing what occurs behind the scenes can empower you to approach consultations with confidence. At Affiliated Orthodontics, Dr.Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis are dedicated to sharing crucial information to ensure you have the knowledge you need.
Having a pearly white smile is often a top concern our patients bring to our office. One of the most common questions we get as orthodontists during braces treatment is whether white spots on the teeth are to be expected. Even our patients who don’t have braces are concerned about maintaining a clean white smile. Luckily Dr.Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodonticshave some tips and tricks for you in this post about white spots from braces, professional whitening services, and at-home whitening methods that are safe for your teeth.
Invisalign is a popular and effective alternative to traditional braces. However, like any orthodontic treatment, you may experience some discomfort and pain as your teeth shift into their new positions. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve Invisalign pain and keep your treatment on track. Here are some helpful tips from Dr.Chris Teeters, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.
Follow the Recommended Switch Schedule
Invisalign aligners are designed to incrementally move your teeth into their optimal positions. It’s important to stick to this schedule to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort. You can make the switch to your new aligners right before bed to let the worst of the pain happen overnight. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever before bed to help you sleep comfortably.
