Pregnancy and your Teeth

In pregnancy, few problems are common such as swollen ankles, mood swings, stretch marks and back pain. Besides this, women can also experience some inconvenient and horrifying symptoms such as odd changes in teeth and oral health.

Pregnancy can cause a few dental problems such as the increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It doesn’t mean if you’re pregnant, your teeth are healthy. With proper dental hygiene and planning, these problems can be avoided.

Why Does Pregnancy Affect Oral Health?

During pregnancy, dental health problems can cause due to many reasons. The causes could be vomiting from morning sickness or cravings for sugary foods. The acid from vomit can coat the teeth and strip their enamel which increases the risk of tooth decay. Sugary food increases the chances of bacteria in the mouth. Hormonal changes can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Dental Disease Can Affect Your Baby

The gum disease and pregnant women and premature birth are directly linked. Premature babies are at risk for periodontal disease. It is important to get appropriate dental treatment to lower the child’s risk of health problems.

How You Can Prepare

Choose good oral hygiene habits even before you are pregnant. Visit the dental hygienist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

During pregnancy, you should increase your daily amount of calcium to protect your bone mass while meeting the nutritional needs of your baby.

Drink milk and eat cheese, yoghurt or calcium-fortified soymilk. Consume more Vitamin D because it helps the body utilise the calcium. Vitamin D can be found in cheese, margarine, fatty fish and eggs.

Inform Your Dentist If You Are Pregnant

Inform the dentist if you are pregnant because it affects your oral health as well as dental care. Sometimes the dentist may not take x-rays until after the birth of a baby or might take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the child.

If you are concerned about your oral health during pregnancy, then contact Tamborello Dentistry.