How to maintain your oral health during pregnancy

How to maintain your oral health during pregnancy

01st February 2018

Good health is the key to happiness. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep are all important for happiness and quality of life. This is even more important when you’re pregnant, both for your developing baby and for your own body.

It’s common knowledge that pregnant women should eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, stop smoking, and maintain a healthy weight. However, what most people don’t know is that dental hygiene during pregnancy is important too. This is because pregnancy can seriously affect your teeth. In this post, we’ll discuss the main problems that can occur to your dental health during pregnancy and what you can do about them.

The most common dental problems during pregnancy

Your body undergoes a lot of changes when you’re pregnant, and some of these changes can affect teeth and gums. One particular problem to watch out for is gum inflammation, which is also known as ‘gingivitis’. Gum inflammation during pregnancy is quite common because pregnancy hormones such as progesterone increase your blood flow. If you have gum inflammation, you’ll probably notice that your gums have become red and swollen and that your gums bleed after brushing.

However, the real danger of gum inflammation is that it provides the ideal opportunity for bacteria to accumulate in your gums, which, in turn, can trigger an infection called periodontitis. Periodontitis is a serious condition where bacteria attack and destroy the bone that supports your teeth. If left untreated, you can end up losing one or more of your teeth! In addition, periodontitis can also cause problems for your foetus.

Gum disease isn’t the only oral health problem that women might face during pregnancy. Another problem is that the saliva becomes more acidic during pregnancy, which makes your teeth more prone to decay.

Don’t neglect your dental health during pregnancy

Pregnant women sometimes neglect their oral health. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the reason is that they’re simply too busy. There’s a lot to do when you are pregnant, such as doctor appointments, hospital appointments, prenatal classes, and preparing your house for the new baby. However, even at this busy time, it’s still important to take care of your teeth.

Some women neglect their oral health because they aren’t aware of the dangers. Many people don’t know the risks to their dental health during pregnancy, and some even think that it’s dangerous to go to the dentist when you’re pregnant. (The truth is that it’s not only safe to go to the dentist when you’re pregnant, but it’s also highly recommended.)

Dental appointments during pregnancy

Prevention is the best cure when it comes to dental problems during pregnancy. Going to the dentist during pregnancy can prevent problems for both you and your baby. That’s why we advise all pregnant women to go to a dentist for a check-up. Even if you haven’t experienced any tooth pain or noticed any signs of gum disease, it’s still good to go. This is because the dentist can perform a thorough examination and catch any developing problems early, such as small cavities.

Book an appointment with Hazelwood Dental, and­ we’ll advise you on how to take care of yourself and your foetus during pregnancy. And one final word before we go – congratulations!