Pregnancy is a big part of a woman’s life and dental health is just as essential as every other health aspect during this stage in a woman’s life. Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gum can assure you a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. If you or a loved one is interested to know more about dental care during pregnancy, read on…
How pregnancy affects dental health?
It is always important to take care of your dental health, and this is especially true during pregnancy. Hormonal changes happen during pregnancy and this can raise the risk of developing gum disease which could bring the chances of affecting the health of your developing baby. Here is a run down of how pregnancy affects your dental health:
- During pregnancy your hormones such as progesterone and estrogen soar in level. This can increase the risk of specific dental health problems.
- Eating habits usually change during pregnancy. Cravings can cause you to eat more of a certain kind of food that may or may not affect the overall health of your mouth, teeth and gums.
- Brushing and flossing is important, but during pregnancy it is common for women to neglect this because of feeling tired and in some cases even nauseated.
Dental problems that may arise
- Cavities (tooth decay)
- Gingivitis (inflammation of gums)
- Loose teeth
- Pregnancy tumors
- Tooth erosion
- Periodontal disease (untreated gingivitis)
Dental care during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the chances of developing dental health problems increases. Therefore it is important to pay attention to your oral health during pregnancy. Below are some tips to help maintain a good oral health during pregnancy:
- A regular cleaning or urgent procedure can be done anytime during pregnancy. However, it is crucial to let your dentist know that you are pregnant during your regular checkup.
- Elective dental procedure should be postponed to after delivery.
- Always check with your obstetrician to see if they have any special precautions/instructions for you.
- Let your dentist know of the type and dosage of all the medication and prenatal vitamins that you are taking as well as any specific advice by your doctor before going through with any procedure. This is so your dentist can know if they may need to alter your dental treatment plan based on this information.
- Dental x-rays can be done during pregnancy.
- Try not to skip your dental appointment. Studies have found that 40% of pregnant women will develop gingivitis sometime during their pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
- Pay attention to any tenderness, bleeding, or gum swelling during pregnancy.
- If morning sickness is preventing you from brushing your teeth, you can opt for a tasteless toothpaste from your dentist.
- If possible, try to avoid sugary snacks and eat healthy.
- Healthy products that contain dairy, cheese and yogurt are a good source of essential minerals to help your baby develop teeth, gums and bones.
If you are in Hamden and you are looking to get a dental procedure during pregnancy.. At Parkway Dental we have trained and highly experienced professionals that can provide you with the proper dental care you and your loved ones need. Give us a call at (203) 408-2248 to book an appointment.