Pregnancy Gingivitis

When you’re pregnant, some gum irritation is expected. We at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk understand that this is upsetting for many patients and want to help them keep their gums as healthy as possible. We thought we would explain a little about why gingivitis during pregnancy is so common and how we can help patients to manage it.

Inflammation is a part of the immune system’s response to pathogens or injuries. It isolates the pathogens and makes the cell membranes more permeable to antibodies. But it also makes tissue sore and more prone to bleeding. During pregnancy, as well as during menarche and menopause, women’s bodies produce a large amount of the hormone progesterone. This hormone increases blood flow to the gums, making them more reactive to decay-causing bacteria and other irritants.

Pregnant women need to be especially attentive to their oral hygiene to prevent gingivitis from developing. But as long as they are brushing and flossing properly, pregnancy gingivitis will not usually progress into periodontitis. We can provide pregnant women with deep cleanings, removing plaque build-up from their gum pockets and reducing their risk of developing inflammation. We can also demonstrate proper flossing technique and recommend non-alcoholic mouthwash.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

How to Clean a Night Guard

A night guard can be a blessing for a person’s oral health. These custom-fitted appliances prevent a wearer’s teeth from grinding against each other while they’re asleep and can reposition the jaw to reduce obstructive sleep apnea. But a night guard that isn’t properly cared for could become an infection nightmare, which is why we at the dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk want our patients to know how to keep them clean.

When a wearer removes a night guard in the morning, they should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The guard may also be soaked in a purpose-designed solution or cleaned with soap and water, but manufacturers still generally recommend brushing them to remove bacterial build-up. It may be a good idea to use a secondary toothbrush just for the night guard because the fluoride minerals in toothpaste could scratch plastic. It’s also important to use cool or room-temperature water to avoid warping the night guard, and to store it somewhere it won’t get too hot.

Maintenance for night guards is similar to that for dentures with one major difference: the night guard should be kept dry. Wearers should also clean the guard’s ventilated case each day and pat it and the night guard dry. Some migration in a patient’s teeth is natural, so wearers should expect to sometimes need the night guard to be professionally refitted.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.