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Pregnant women know that there are many nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle habits that can affect their developing baby. A recent study reveals that low levels of maternal Vitamin D can lead to increased tooth decay in children. Early childhood caries (ECC) is distinguished as any tooth decay in infants or very young children; unfortunately, ECC is a common occurrence at this age.

Researchers measured the levels of Vitamin D in pregnant women during their second and third trimesters. After giving birth, the mothers returned with their children for the evaluation of their dental health. The results of the study revealed that mothers of children with ECC had significantly lower levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy.

Vitamin D levels and ECC appear to have an inverse relationship: the lower the levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy, then the greater number of decayed teeth in infants. This study seems to be the first to show the link between prenatal Vitamin D and early childhood caries, indicating the need to correct low maternal Vitamin D levels in order to aid in the prevention of ECC.

So how can you make sure that you're getting enough Vitamin D? Sunlight is the most common source of Vitamin D, and sun exposure of 15 minutes a day is considered adequate. If sufficient sunlight is not obtained, then dietary sources of Vitamin D can utilized. These include vitamin-fortified food sources such as milk, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals; fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna in oil, sardines in oil; cod liver oil, egg yolks, and liver.

Did you know....

Pocket gophers' teeth grow up to 15 inches a year!?!

Gophers use their front teeth to chew on lots of tough roots and sometimes even to dig through the dirt. Since their teeth are a type of tool for them, it's no surprise that their teeth wear away over time. Luckily for gophers, their teeth are constantly growing so that they can maintain them for functional usage.

Humans aren't so lucky (or maybe we are lucky that our teeth don't grow longer!), so don't use your teeth as tools! Human teeth wear away from using them as tools or from habits such as grinding. Once our tooth structure is worn away, it's gone! We can restore worn teeth with bonding, crowns, and veneers, but it is much better to just protect your teeth from the start!

So take care of your teeth and protect them from wear. If your teeth suffer from wear, talk to Jacques Dentistry about restoring them and/or making a protective nightguard (aka occlusal guard) to prevent further damage.

Keeping your own mouth clean and healthy has a great impact on the future dental health of your child. Make sure that you brush at least twice a day and floss every day during pregnancy. Since your child's teeth begin to develop while still in the womb, it's important that you are eating a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins to support your baby's developing teeth. For more information on this topic, as well as how to start caring for your baby's gums and teeth once they appear, watch this short video from the American Dental Association.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcmmsqK1TwA&feature=em-subs_digest

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Spring is in the air!

The sunshine and warmer weather are great motivators for freshening up your home and office. So if you're making your spring cleaning checklist -- and especially if you've already finished cleaning! -- make sure that a visit to Jacques Dentistry is on your list!

It's easy to let your dental maintenance appointment slip by, so consider this your friendly reminder! And if it's not quite time for your check-up, consider calling us now so that we can reserve your preferred time for your appointment.

This nice weather is sure to make you smile -- so make sure you're putting your best and healthiest smile forward!