There are so many amazing changes that happen to the body during pregnancy but something that you don’t always hear about is how these hormonal changes can impact the mouth, teeth and gums. Maintaining a good oral health regime and visiting your dentist regularly are important steps to ensure both you and baby are as healthy as possible throughout pregnancy.
Gum Problems:
It is common to see changes to the gums starting from the second month of pregnancy due to the rapid changes in hormone levels. Some women notice bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, swollen gums, tender gums or bad beath. These signs may be an indicator of ‘pregnancy gingivitis’. It is important to give your oral health extra attention during pregnancy - this includes brushing twice a day, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly throughout pregnancy for check ups and cleans (yes this is perfectly safe for you and baby!).
If not treated pregnancy gingivitis can progress to more severe periodontal disease and can even be associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and premature birth. We also recommend checking in with your dentist after birth to ensure any gum issues have resolved and no additional treatment is required.
Morning sickness/ Reflux:
An unfortunate reality of pregnancy for many women is morning sickness or acid reflux. Its understandable that the natural response is to want to brush your teeth straight away, but it is important not to. The acid in vomit/ reflux causes tooth erosion and damage to tooth enamel due to the low pH, this is made worse by brushing straight away. Brushing should be avoided for 1 hour post being sick. Some alternatives are to rinse the mouth with water, or a baking soda/ water combination, use a sugar free chewing gum or eating foods that can help neutralise acids such as milk or hard cheese. You can then brush your teeth 1 hour later.
Cravings:
Many women experience odd cravings throughout pregnancy or feel the need to snack/ graze throughout the day to keep nausea at bay unfortunately his can increase the risk of tooth decay. Sometimes pregnancy cravings will direct you towards sweet foods and drinks – try to choose healthier options like fruits which contain natural sugars where possible and maintain a good oral health regime including regular check ins with your dentist through pregnancy.
Dental treatment whilst pregnant:
Letting your dentist know you are pregnant is important so they can take this into account when making decisions regarding your dental care. This may include postponing routine xrays or changing medications/ prescribed products as appropriate. However the good news is that that routine dental care is not only safe it is encouraged. Most dental treatments can safely be done during pregnancy this includes check ups, cleans, fillings crowns, extractions and any emergency care required. The second trimester is generally the preferred time to perform any required work -so don’t delay seeing your dentist throughout your pregnancy!
For any further questions you have regarding your oral heath during pregnancy reach out to the team at Higgins Dental who are always happy to take care of you and your growing family!
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