Ok firstly I have to admit that I haven't been to a dentist since Mum used to make me go
I was at a bbq on Saturday and I thought I had some food stuck in the back of my tooth, next thing you know it came out! I had it in my hand and it looked like part of my tooth and I FREAKED OUT!
Then someone said it is probably plaque as it looks and feels just like a tooth.
PHEW (i hope!)
So basically I am off to the dentist on Wednesday and the lady said its most likely plaque and the dentist will get rid of all of it on my teeth.
They scrape it and no it doesn't hurt. Then they'll probably clean them. Your teeth might be quite sensitive to hot & cold tho afterwards, coz they're suddenly 'exposed' without all the plaque covering them up
I hope that's all it was! Doesn't hurt to have a good clean at the dentists now & then anyway... coz they reach all the spots we miss
Danni, if you have not been for ages, I would ring around and get prices, cos you will find different dentist will charge differently for the same procedures, and it could vary quite a bit.
From memory - I think a check and a clean cost me $130. I -think-. I had cover back then tho, so claimed some back... next time I won't have any cover.
If you are getting enough calcium you will be fine.
If you aren't getting enough, of any vitamin/mineral, pregnant or not you body will take it from where it can.
I think I was thinking of the one about loosing a tooth for each pg.
Can I ask with out being offensive... How does one build up enough plaque for a chunk to break away? I hadn't been to the dentist in years but when I went I only had a minimal build up of plaque from not flossing, but no where near enough for a chunk to break off.
OK i have to but in here! I have worked in the dental industry for 12 years now in many diferent roles and I have to say that pregnancy does not affect your teeth at all! It can, and i mean CAN, affect your gums due to the extra hormones and it may cause your gums to swell. ALl of this depends on your oral hygiene though and if your brushing and flossing then you wont have a problem. Its very rare anyway to have gums probs during pregnancy unless your not good at brushing etc. The info Caro quoted is right but it all relates to your gums and it talks of hygiene issues caused byan extra sensitive gag reflex (preg hormones) and throwing up (morning sickness)
With regards to plaque - everyones levels of it are completely different again depending on hygiene and also their saliva content. I have almost no calcium deposits in my saliva and i have NEVER had to have my teeth cleaned in my life however I have seen patients over the years who are back every 6 months for a cleam and every time it is caked on. People who have dry mouths tend to get more plaque build up coz salivas job is to clean your teeth and without it your food etc stays put, also some people have really sticky saliva and these people tend to have moreplaque and calculus than most!
yep plaque is the fury white stuff, tartar is when it calcifies, you get more behind you lower front teeth becasue of the saliva ducts under the tongue causing more saliva to pool there, same goes for the upper back teeth where the other saliva ducts are, the calcium and phospate in saliva hardens plaque, some people just have more in their saliva than others and is nothing to worry about
HTH
Dental Plaque?
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and no it doesn't hurt. Then they'll probably clean them. Your teeth might be quite sensitive to hot & cold tho afterwards, coz they're suddenly 'exposed' without all the plaque covering them up 
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