Periodontist in Chicago Says Gum Disease Is Likely To Occur In Breastfeeding Women
Mothers who have chosen to breastfeed their babies are much aware that during the entire breastfeeding period, they need to increase their intake of calories by 500 more to support the production of milk. According to periodontists in Chicago, gum disease is likely to occur in breastfeeding mothers. Recent research reveals that what most breastfeeding mothers do not know is that they also need to ensure their adequate intake of calcium in their diets to prevent the occurrence of gum diseases, which can subsequently result in loosening of the teeth.
The study conducted by Kanako Shoji and colleagues revealed that lactating rodents induced with low calcium intake are more vulnerable to develop inflammation of gum tissues. Though the research was conducted on animals, the results demonstrated that a diet high in calcium is a must in lactating mothers to preserve the alveolar bone, the bone structures supporting the teeth.
During breastfeeding, obstetricians recommend nursing mothers to add up 500 extra calories in their diets. This is mainly because, to produce sufficient amounts of milk, the body requires around 800 calories more. In connection, in order for breastfeeding mothers to produce around 25 to 35 ounces of calcium-rich breast milk each day, they need approximately a daily intake of 1200 mg of calcium from various food sources.
The daily transfer of calcium through the breast milk from mother to child is estimated to be around 250 to 300 mg. After three months of lactating, breastfeeding mothers are believed to have lost 25 to 30 grams of calcium, which is approximately 3% of the body’s stored calcium. If the mother’s calcium stores are depleting or her diet is low in calcium, the body will mobilize the calcium stores out of the bones and teeth and into the bloodstream. Calcium is necessary to continue the most important physiological processes in the body, such as the firing of neurons and the normal beating of the heart, and so, the body is in constant need of the mineral.
Once the calcium stores are severely depleted, the mother is at increased risk for bone loss, which includes the alveolar bone that supports the teeth. The study of Shoji and colleagues has also suggested that insufficient calcium intake causes inflammation of the periodontal tissues and disruption of the gingival tissue. Without a doubt, deficiency in calcium by lactation can severely compromise a woman’s overall oral health.
For periodontists in Chicago, gum disease is avoided and oral health is greatly improved with increased intake of foods rich in calcium during breastfeeding. Consuming milk and dairy, spinach, broccoli, figs, nuts, beans and tofu regularly and in adequate amounts, is recommended to protect the gums from inflammation and various diseases. Good oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing of teeth, are essential to fight periodontal diseases. A regular visit to your dentist is encouraged to maintain good oral health.
Individuals who have seen or been told to see a periodontist in Chicago but who want an alternative to cut and stitch gum surgery, can contact Dr. Marcus at (312)263-6898 or visit him at http://michaelmarcusdds.com . Dr. Marcus is a highly trained general dentist who does not use a scalpel, but a laser, to treat gum diseases.
