Dental Care During Pregnancy

When you are considering getting pregnant, your dental health is not always the first thing you think of. While it may seem small and insignificant, your mouth and its wellbeing is imperative to the overall health of you and your baby.

What most people don’t realize is that taking care of a baby starts before you even get pregnant. There are numerous preventative measures you can take to make sure your teeth stay healthy and no complications arise during pregnancy. Not sure why your dental health is so important? Let’s discuss!

Before You Get Pregnant

Before getting pregnant, it is a good idea to set up an appointment with your dentist to make sure there are no major issues that need special attention. What we want to avoid is having any kind of problems during your pregnancy.

If you aren’t already, now is a good time to start regularly brushing and flossing. That means every day! By setting up good habits now, you are more likely to continue them during pregnancy and hopefully pass them along to your children one day.

Caring for Your Mouth While Pregnant

Pregnancy comes with a lot of change especially when it comes to your body and hormones. All of that change can affect you and your mouth in several ways, one of those being an increased risk of gum disease. Most people know they need to eat nutritious foods when pregnant and continue to exercise, to maintain a healthy lifestyle but one of the simplest ways to take care of yourself and your baby is to keep up good dental hygiene.

Hopefully you already brush and floss your teeth every day and if that’s the case then keep up the good work! Brushing and flossing remove harmful bacteria and build-up on your teeth that, left to sit on your gums, will eventually begin to eat away at them. You are bound to have food cravings while pregnant, but if nothing but sweet snacks will satisfy, try a healthier option such as fresh fruit. Then rinse your mouth with mouthwash or brush your teeth after a sugary treat.

Potential Dental Issues

By neglecting your teeth, the risk of serious problems increases greatly, and while this is not good for you at any point, you especially don’t want to experience these issues while pregnant. Potential dental issues could include gingivitis, periodontal disease, or pregnancy tumors (don’t worry these are not the same as cancerous tumors).

Each of these cases originates from a lack of practicing dental hygiene. You can read some of our other blogs about these problems, but what is most important for you to understand is that they can lead to more serious complications down the road for your own health and that of the baby during pregnancy. If you are experiencing a lot of puffiness or bleeding in your gums, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist to get that taken care of! Especially if you are currently pregnant.

Signs and Symptoms of Dental Issues During Pregnancy

If you are not managing your oral health, one of the first things you will notice is the swelling and tenderness of your gums. You may even notice some bleeding or bad breath. If this is the case for you, it is probably a good idea to go ahead and make an appointment to see your dental professional.

Having a child is one of life’s sweetest gifts and busiest seasons, but taking care of your teeth before, during, and after pregnancy should not be ignored. By maintaining regular dental visits and good hygiene habits, you will be ready to greet your baby with a healthy and beautiful smile!