Why Pregnant Women Should Visit The Dentist

If you are a patient of Fletcher Dentistry, you know how often we like to move our discussions beyond your mouth and talk about your TOTAL health. Yes, it is our responsibility to diagnose and treat the problems and diseases we can see in the oral environment, but we regularly engage with our patients about their overall healthcare.

The article attached was published recently on FoxNews.com and the reporter discusses several items relating to dental care in the pregnant patient. (Click on the photo or link to go to the article).

Dental health during pregnancy: How to care for your teeth and gumsBy Julie Revelant - Healthy Mama - Published February 02, 2014 - FoxNews.com

Dental health during pregnancy: How to care for your teeth and gums

By Julie Revelant - Healthy Mama - Published February 02, 2014 - FoxNews.com

Pregnant Women and Dental Care

For the past few years, our conversations have been more focused on the importance of dental health care for patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic diseases which have an oral health care connection. However, the most prevalent condition we see in our dental patients that benefits DIRECTLY from better oral health care is pregnancy.

According to a recent article I read by The American Public Health Association:

"Research shows that bacteria associated with periodontitis have been found in the amniotic fluid, cord blood and placenta of babies born pre-term or with low birth weights, according to the recommendations. For example, in the case of pre-term babies, bacteria such as bergeyella have been found in amniotic fluid and porphyromonas gingivalis has been found in placenta tissue, the recommendations said."

What does this mean for patients who are pregnant?

In a nutshell, you must think about taking BETTER CARE of your teeth and gums during pregnancy. In the past, we would simply warn our pregnant patients to be on the lookout for the potential of swollen and bleeding gums during pregnancy.

With this new research and information, our conversations with our patients have changed. We still recommend EXCELLENT home care during pregnancy, but we also stress the importance of IN-OFFICE dental care as well. Pregnancy is NOT the time to avoid dental care, and that goes for both cleanings and restoring broken teeth. We no longer recommend postponing dental treatment  during pregnancy. If teeth are broken, decayed or infected - treat them!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment on the blog or contact our office.

Keep smiling,
Dr. Fletcher

 

2014 Goals

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2013 was a big year of setting goals and achieving our dreams at Fletcher Dentistry.

After several years of planning, I was able to purchase a building and move my practice into a brand new space. The dream was a new facility which would allow me to take better care of my patients in an environment that was clean, professional and efficient. Our new office at 1130 Coffee Road accomplished all of those dreams.

Guess what? It didn't happen overnight. I didn't wake up one day and decide to move. It also didn't happen without goals. I had a plan and without it my dream never would have come true.

What are your goals for 2014? Are they health related? Family related? Educational? Financial? Maybe you just want to start flossing more? Whatever it is, let me encourage you to start today and do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals this year!

Keep on smiling,
Dr. Fletcher

DDSMentoring.com

I am proud to be an active member in DDSMentoring, a unique and modern way for dentists to continue their education.  I have spent the past two years learning advanced general dental techniques under the mentorship of Dr. Gary O'Brien along with 15-20 other general dentists throughout the United States.

DDSmentoring.com is uniquely positioned as the first educational platform that allows professionals the opportunity to increase the scope of their practice while working year around.

This is accomplished by collaborative interaction between Members and Mentors of various disciplines and techniques conveniently at a time of their choosing from their home or office.

Members are able to expand their practice by adding new materials, techniques, and procedures with the confidence and success of 35 years of experience. Ongoing professional forums, which for the first time in our profession, bring the power and confidence of the collaborative efforts of many great minds to assist the member in patient care. DDSmentoring.com sets its primary objective of improving the quality of patient care globally with the effect of producing a new generation of Total Solutions Providers.

Dr. Fletcher and his brother, Dr. Scott Fletcher. DDSMentoring Seminar, Calabasas, CA

Dr. Fletcher and his brother, Dr. Scott Fletcher.
DDSMentoring Seminar, Calabasas, CA

The opportunity to provide advanced surgery, implant dentisty, and consistent restorative dentistry has been a direct result of my time and investment with DDSMentoring. 

Keep on smiling, 

Dr. Andy Fletcher