Book Review Cori Gwilliam, RDH
Dental Hygiene Supervisor, Today’s Dental

During Sheila Wolf’s three-decade long dental hygiene career she diagnosed three pregnancies. The puffy, red gums of pregnancy gingivitis gave it away before the expectant mother even knew. As the evidence linking pregnancy to periodontal disease and periodontal disease to pregnancy outcomes mounts, Pregnancy and Oral Health, Shelia’s new book for pregnant patients, arrives at just the right time.

An opportunity for Sheila to contribute to the health and wellness of pregnant women, the book begins by explaining the prevalence of periodontal disease in pregnancy and Sheila’s experience using a phase contrast microscope in clinical practice. Her perio philosophy has been molded by microbiological and immunological research and includes aspects of the Keye’s Technique and the anti-infective approach to therapy. Influenced by Drs. Paul Keyes and Dan Watt, both founders of the International Dental Health Foundation, Sheila’s preventive approach focuses on the bacterial infection of periodontal disease and how best to deal with microbes under the gums.

An eight-item test assists readers in assessing whether they have the signs of periodontal disease. From there, the book takes you through several chapters on antibacterial oral hygiene techniques including brushing, bad breath, flossing, oral irrigation, and tools for cleaning between the teeth. Sheila shares how holding the toothbrush with a pencil grasp and including the gums are key for the twice daily brushings suggested. Bad breath also is explained, and the importance of tongue cleaning is stressed.

A chapter on “Mama Gums’ Magic Mix” provides an alternative toothpaste recipe: salt, baking soda and peroxide. According to Dr. Keyes’ research at the National Institute of Health in the 1970s, these ingredients have lethal effects on periodontal pathogen. Readers are reminded of the four “Ds” Dr. Keyes stresses for dealing with oral bacteria: disorganize, disperse, detoxify and disinfect.

Although Sheila prefers Glide floss, she encourages readers to try several brands to find the one that works best for them. The Sonicare power brush is mentioned, but again the author reminds readers there are many choices and whatever their choice, it needs to be used and not sit on the shelf gathering dust.

Oral irrigation is included for the 90% of the population who don’t floss as recommended. The irrigator models pictured in the book all allow for the use of various antimicrobial solutions, which are also described.

Another chapter deals with the effects tobacco, alcohol and sugar have on the pregnant woman’s body, especially the mouth as well as the effects on the pregnancy itself. Tips for giving up smoking and suggestions for healthy snacks are listed. Finally, a tour of the mouth provides diagrams and descriptions of the many structures found in the mouth.

Each chapter page features a brown and white photograph of a pregnant woman, as the printing is done in brown rather than black. The photos add artistic quality to the book while the drawings and diagrams effectively make their points with humor. There are even caricatures of Mama Gums seen throughout the book with reminders and reviews of material covered.

With her book, Shelia is spreading the word about the importance of oral health and the connection between oral health and systemic health. This book is ideal to have in the office for patients to see and as a gift for all the expectant mothers you know.

At a Glance
Pregnancy and Oral Health
The critical connection between your mouth and your body
Author, Sheila Wolf, RDH aka Mama Gums
$15.95
Radcliffe Publishing, San Diego
Available from Amazon.com and www.mamagums.com

About Sheila Wolf, RDH
Sheila graduated from the Fones School of Dental Hygiene and has practiced in Connecticut and California. For 35 Halloweens, she’s been a friend of the Tooth Fairy, handing out dental care treats to the children knocking on her door. Sheila’s career has included writing, volunteering as a dental nurse on a kibbutz in Israel, and teaching Sister Marie, a teacher from a remote African village, the essentials of oral care to share with the children in her tiny community. Sheila’s traveled to a one-room schoolhouse in a small, impoverished, coal-mining town in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains where she brought dental supplies, education and a delightful experience the children and teachers will remember for a long time. Currently, Sheila is the Director of the International Dental Health Foundation (IDHF) of which she has been a member since 1993. Sheila assists people all over the country with dental concerns, and refers them to dentists who practice anti-infective and biological dentistry.