Taking care of your mouth during pregnancy is extremely important. Like many other aspects of your health, your oral health can be greatly affected by pregnancy. Here are some oral health concerns to look out for during your pregnancy and how you can prevent them.
Gingivitis
One of the first things pregnant women notice change in their oral health is their gums. Increased hormone and progesterone levels from pregnancy can cause certain bacteria to grow into gingivitis. Commonly referred to as “pregnancy gingivitis,” this can occur as early as the second month of your term. The best way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis is to stay on top of your oral health care regime. Brush twice a day, floss every day and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse. If you start to notice your gums look redder and bleed when you brush, consult your dentist. Professional cleanings can still be done throughout your pregnancy!
Dry Mouth
Another common condition of pregnancy is dry mouth. While dry mouth may not seem like a big oral health concern, it can put you at risk of greater problems like tooth decay and infections. You can prevent dry mouth by drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum.
Morning Sickness and Dental Erosion
Morning sickness is one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. It can also bring up a number of oral health concerns as the stomach acid can attack your teeth and cause tooth erosion. To prevent morning sickness from damaging your tooth enamel, swish with a teaspoon of baking soda and water afterward.
Dental Procedures
Contrary to popular belief, it is safe to continue seeing your dentist during your pregnancy. In fact, your dentist can be a great resource to keeping your mouth and your baby’s mouth healthy. Just make sure you inform your family dentist of your pregnancy, as they may need to adjust certain procedures and medication. It is also safe to get dental x-rays as needed. As you may remember from our previous blog, the amount of radiation exposure in dental x-rays is so low that it does not pose any serious risks. However, we still recommend that pregnant women wear lead aprons as a precaution.
Promoting Healthy Mouth In Baby
One of the first precautions you can take to ensure your baby has a health mouth is by taking good care of your own oral health. A clean and healthy mouth will reduce the transmission of cavity germs from you to your infant. You can also talk to your family dentist about preventative tooth decay measures and healthy habits. You should schedule your child’s first dentist appointment once two teeth are touching or before the age of one. For more preventive measures, follow this link.
Pregnancy affects almost every aspect of your body, and it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums just like the rest of your health. For further assistance consult your family dentist. If you’re looking for a reliable dentist in Eugene that specializes in family dentistry, contact Dentistry at The Ten today!