OralTalkWithMariam

 Is It Safe to Remove a Tooth During Pregnancy? 🤰🦷 By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙 Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 A pregnant woman once sat in our clinic, holding her jaw, asking if removing a painful tooth could harm her baby. She had been managing the pain for almost two weeks with paracetamol and prayer, because someone in her family told her dental treatment during pregnancy could cause a miscarriage. I see this fear constantly, and I understand why. Pregnancy already comes with enough warnings and " don't do this, don't touch that." So when a toothache hits, many women choose to suffer quietly rather than risk anything. If you've ever wondered the same thing, you are not alone. Let's separate the facts from the myths today. The Short Answer : Yes , When It Is Medically Necessary Tooth extraction can be performed safely during pregnancy when it is medically necessary. In fact, delaying treatment for a serious dental infection may pose greater risks than re...

  Why Does My Tooth Hurt If I Don't Have a Cavity? 6 Surprising Causes  By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙 Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 We have all been taught that toothaches are caused by cavities . You feel a sharp twinge, you run to the bathroom mirror, open wide, and flash a light inside, expecting to see a classic dark brown or black hole. But instead, you see nothing. The tooth looks perfectly white, intact, and smooth. Yet, it won't stop throbbing. It can be incredibly frustrating (and a little scary) when your teeth hurt but there is no obvious visual explanation. You might start wondering if the pain is just in your head. As a dental professional who spends every day working chair-side, let me reassure you: your pain is completely real. The short answer: Yes , a tooth can absolutely hurt even when there is no visible cavity. Hidden cracks, gum recession, sinus pressure, teeth grinding, nerve damage, and failing old fillings can all cause real tooth pain without an obvious...

  Can a Tooth Infection Go Away on Its Own? ​By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam  ​Hey Smile Squad! 😁 A tooth infection should not be expected to clear without dental treatment. The pain may reduce or disappear, which can make it seem as though your tooth has healed even when the problem causing the infection is still present. Why Can Pain from a Tooth Infection Disappear? Pain from a tooth infection can fade even when your tooth has not healed. Sometimes a small bump on your gum releases fluid, which reduces the pressure around the tooth. The nerve inside your tooth may also become so damaged that it stops sending the same pain signal. Think of the pain as a smoke alarm. If the alarm stops sounding because its battery has failed, the silence does not mean the smoke has disappeared. In the same way, your tooth becoming quiet does not always mean that the infection has cleared. What Are the Signs of a Tooth Infection? A tooth infection may cause pain that does not go away or com...

  Why Nigerians Are Losing Teeth They Didn’t Have to Lose 🦷🇳🇬 ​By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙 ​Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 ​I want us to have a very honest heart-to-heart today. ​Every single week at the clinic, I see the same heartbreaking scenario. A patient walks in holding their jaw, exhausted from days of sleepless nights. After the doctor examines them, the verdict is given: “ We have to extract it.” ​The patient almost always looks shocked and says, “Ah. I didn't know it would get to this level.” I get it. I know that in Nigeria, many of us delay the dentist because we are scared of the cost, too busy with work, or honestly just terrified of that dental chair. But as a Dental Care Professional, let me share a truth that comes from a place of love: Most of the teeth we pull out are teeth that could have been saved if we didn't wait until the pain was unbearable. ​Today, I’m shaking the table, not to judge you, but to save your smile. Let’s talk about why we are losing...

  Is Gap Teeth (Diastema) a Problem? The Truth About "Open Teeth" in Nigeria ✨🦷 By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙 Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 Let's talk about something that causes endless debates on Nigerian Twitter and TikTok. Depending on where you are from, you might call it "gap teeth," "open teeth," or if you want to sound strictly medical — Diastema. Some people are proud of it. Some people hide their smile because of it. In many Nigerian cultures, having a gap right in the middle of your upper teeth is the ultimate symbol of beauty, elegance, and good luck. Some people even visit roadside quacks to create artificial gaps just to get that signature smile, and honestly? We need to talk about that too. But as a Dental Care Professional, I get asked this question all the time: Is a gap tooth just a beautiful feature, or is it secretly a dental problem? Today, we are blending culture with clinical facts. Let's look at the truth about Diastema! 1. ...

Drop That Wooden Toothpick! The Truth About How You Remove Food From Your Teeth 🪵🥩 By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙 Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 Let’s talk about a weekend ritual that almost everyone in Nigeria is guilty of.  You just finished a delicious plate of rice with assorted meat, or maybe you just bought some spicy street suya. A piece of meat gets aggressively stuck between your back teeth. What is the very first thing you reach for?  A wooden toothpick.  You dig, poke, and pry at your gums until the meat finally pops out, and you feel that wave of relief. But as a Dental Care Professional, I have a slight table-shaking truth for you today: It’s not the toothpick itself... it’s how you are using it that is slowly damaging your gums. I know toothpicks are on every restaurant table! But today, we are looking at why dental professionals prefer you leave the wood alone, and what you should be using instead. 1. The Poking and Irritation Problem 😣 The biggest issue is...

Are Black Gums a Sign of a Dirty Mouth? The Truth About Dark Gums and Melanin 🤎🦷 **By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 💙** Hey Smile Squad! 😁💙 Let’s talk about a secret insecurity that so many people have, but nobody ever talks about out loud.  You are standing in front of the mirror, looking at your smile. Your teeth are clean, but you notice your gums aren't that bright, bubblegum-pink color you see in toothpaste commercials. Instead, they are dark brown, purplish, or even black.  Instantly, the panic sets in. "Is my mouth dirty? Do I have gum disease? Am I brushing wrong?" As a Dental Care Professional, let me be the first to tell you: Take a deep breath. You are doing absolutely nothing wrong. Today, we are busting the " Pink Gum Myth " and explaining exactly why your gums are dark, and when you actually need to pay attention to a color change.  1. The "Skin Tone" Reality (It’s Just Melanin!) 🤎 Here is the biggest and most beautiful truth: You...