Let’s talk about teeth today!
Kiko’s teeth: I was so happy to congratulate my daughter the other morning when I noticed that she had developed 4 visible teeth! Two front bottom teeth, and two wing teeth on the top. She kind of looks like a vampire now. All of the sudden it dawned on me that I might need to start brushing her teeth. So I went to my source of information, aka Baby Center for what to do with baby teeth cleaning. Apparently, they recommend cleaning the baby’s gums with wet gauze even before the teeth come out. I had not been doing that…sorry Kiko. I had no idea. But now that the teeth have popped out they recommend parents to start brushing the baby teeth. So, I went to a pharmacy and got a baby’s first tooth brush..picture below. Babycenter recommends that I put a tiny bit of tooth paste and brush her gums and teeth. I was afraid that she would whine, but surprisingly, she seems to like it. She smiles at me when I do it, so I take that as a good sign 🙂
My teeth: One thing I was proud of was how strong my teeth were. I’ve never in my life had cavities. I wasn’t taking a particularly good care of my teeth besides going to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months. I hated flossing and I only did it when I felt like it, but still no cavities. Things changed after the baby. I have no idea what happened – I just got treated for 4 cavities, I wanted to cry! Since that horrible visit to the dentist I have begun flossing twice a day, using mouth wash and brushing my teeth religiously. I’m deathly afraid of the dentist and more cavities. Delivery was painful for one 12 hour event, but going to the dentist and getting fillings is painful in long gradual torture kind of way.
Anyway, I hear that mouth PH levels change when you are pregnant, and you are more likely to get cavities during pregnancu. I’m guessing this had happened to me. Has anyone experienced the same?
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hannah says
my mom had a lot of problems with her teeth after her third pregnancy! i was her first and she didn’t have any problems, but when my first brother came along she had awful morning sickness for months that really did a number on the enamel of her teeth. she couldn’t afford dental care at the time so just kept as good care of her teeth as possible (while also being a smoker, unfortunately!) and her teeth were fine—just one cavity over the years—until my second brother. from what she told me, most of her calcium intake went to my brother during that third pregnancy, and so her teeth weakened even further. since then she’s had numerous cavities and root canals, but she’s always taken very good care of her teeth so it seems it was primarily a vitamin/mineral deficiency for her.
Chie says
hi hanah, thanks for sharing your mom’s story! im sure it is a lot of work for women’s body to go through, from pregnancy, delivery, recovering after delivery and breast feeding! it just made me realize that i have to take a good care of myself as well as for my baby! 🙂
Ai says
hi chie, i still have complete set of teeth – molar to molar.i am very particular with my teeth even before. regular dentist check up and all. now, i notice a lot of changes after giving birth of my two kids. If i didn’t reach this age i will not wear braces and i tend not to like it but i have to, to keep my teeth in place.
Chie says
you noticed a different after birth too? i’ve heard the rumor about teeth, but i didn’t think it would happen to me! im so shocked and saddened.. i hate going to dentist!
Ai says
yes! in fact, during my pregnancy i have to visit my dentist since doctor already warned me for possible changing of my teeth. anyways, thats part of motherhood. like you, not only i hate going to dentist because for me, it’s like torture as well as robberry since dentist cost a lot. hahahah!
have a weekend chie!
Kia says
Hi chie
Long time reader, first time commenter. Interesting that you mention teeth, my husband is a dentist! Great advice you are giving to your readers on dental care for your children. One thing he would add is to not allow your child to go to bed with a bottle – the prolonged exposure to the bottle’s contents (I’m guessing it’s not water) will very quickly rot their teeth.
Secondly for you, it’s possible that your mouth’s ph changed during your pregnancy making you more prone to decay. Or did you get a new dentist after giving birth? Those dentists are picky when it comes to diagnosing decay and the need for fillings. You may find that some dentists are more eager to put fillings in teeth than others. There’s no right or wrong in doing so but we can see that it causes more distress for some patients.
Either way we thought it was interesting to see someone blogging about teeth! Hopefully one day dentistry can change and be less dreadful for people.
Chie says
Hi Kia! Thank you so much for your comment! I’m thrilled to hear that you are a long time reader..thank you so much:)
You know, Kiko is almost 7 months, and she takes a bottle right before going to bed. Do you think it’d be a problem? Is it a bad habit to have? I brush her teeth after her dinner, which is about 5:30pm, but she likes taking another bottle before going to bed at 7pm. I’d appreciate your (or your husband’s) insight on this:)
xx