Facebook Instagram Youtube
View All Events View All Announcements

Protecting Tiny Teeth!

Tuesday February 12, 2019

Oral health during pregnancy for moms, and during infancy for babies, is especially important to set kids up for a lifetime of good health.

It’s hard to believe that taking care of your own mouth during pregnancy can have an effect on your baby – but it does! The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages all expecting and new moms to make oral health a priority for you and for your baby. “Morning sickness and hormonal changes can make you more prone to gum disease and cavities when you’re pregnant, which can impact your baby’s health,” says Yvonne Atwood, Director of Personal Health and Disease Prevention. “A dentist can treat these problems or help you avoid them in the first place.”

Baby Teeth

Get a dental check-up before your delivery. If your last visit was more than six months ago, or you have any oral health issues, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant and your due date. Also be sure they are aware of any medications you’re taking, specific medical conditions, any form of tobacco or drug use, or if your pregnancy is high-risk. X-rays, local anesthetics and most pain medication are safe as long as the dentist is aware of your pregnancy. In addition to visiting your dentist, be sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth, and limit sugary foods. If morning sickness occurs, rinse your mouth with one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Remember, moms and babies share everything — including bacteria. If you have cavities, you also have the bacteria that cause them in your mouth. This bacteria can be passed from your mouth to your baby’s mouth and increase her risk of cavities, too. This is part of the reason it’s important to get a dental check-up and establish a healthy smile before the baby is born. Once your baby is finally here, there are steps to keep his or her mouth healthy, too.

Although it might seem like a lot of work to take care of these temporary teeth, it is important to keep baby teeth cavity free. Baby teeth help children to eat healthy food, develop their speech, and maintain space for their adult teeth. Bacteria that cause cavities in baby teeth stay in the mouth and may cause cavities in permanent teeth.

Do you need a dental provider? My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) works in cooperation with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency to provide high quality dental care for those on Medicaid, the uninsured, and others and they are accepting new clients! You can reach them at www.mydental.org or by calling the new patient registration center at 1-877-313-6232.
visit site

Organization Information

Annual Reports

Administration

Organization Documents

- Strategic Plan
- Mission and Vision
- Agency Organization Chart