The main focus of pregnant mothers is the health of their babies and the safety of their pregnancy. Their dental health usually takes a backseat. But dental care should not be neglected. Maybe not a lot of people realize that pregnancy affects a woman’s dental health. So during this time, women need to take special care of their teeth and gums.
The Changes that Pregnancy Brings to Your Body and Dental Health
Pregnancy causes many changes in the body. This is because estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy. When this happens, plaque builds up faster. If you are not diligent in cleaning your teeth, plaque can cause your gums to swell and bleed. Usually, during the second trimester, Gingivitis develops. For pregnant women who already have gingivitis even before they conceived, it worsens during this time. If swollen gums are left untreated, they develop into periodontal diseases. Swollen gums may become tumors. But usually they are benign and will gradually shrink after giving birth even without treatment. If however the tumor is causing much discomfort and you are having a hard time chewing, consult your dentist. It might be necessary to remove them.
Preventive Care Tips for Pregnant Mothers:
- Brush every after meal or at least twice daily. Use a fluoride toothpaste.
- Some pregnant women have an aversion towards toothpaste. It makes them feel sick. In this case, you can gargle with mouthwash instead.
- Make sure to keep your gumline clean.
- Floss everyday.
- Nourish your body with food, vitamins and supplements rich in vitamin C and B12.
- Schedule a check up with your dentist in your first and second trimester to preserve your dental health despite the surge in your hormones.
Tips in Handling Dental Emergencies When You’re Pregnant
You need to be extra careful when you’re pregnant because some medication or treatment may be harmful to you and your baby. Anesthetics or X-rays could be harmful to both of you. Ask advice from your OB Gyn before seeing a dentist. If however it’s a matter of simple toothache, there should be no problem treating you.
If there is a need for dental surgery, it’s better to schedule it after you’ve given birth. Meanwhile, just be diligent in your oral hygiene and you and baby will have beautiful, healthy teeth.
