Dental Tips for Mothers to Be

You are making sure you’re eating right, getting enough sleep, and even exercising regularly, but what about your teeth? Most expectant mothers are not aware of the extra care their gums and teeth need simply because they are not told at their maternity checkups.

Dental care is critical during pregnancy. Your oral health is connected to your own health as well as that of your fetus. In some rare cases, dental issues can lead to pregnancy complications. Also, the rapid changes your body goes through can change the health of your gums, making them bleed easier, more cavities, and so on.

Common Dental Problems during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body goes through rapid changes and has a surge of hormones. These varying levels can increase your body’s blood flow and increasing tooth decay and plaque. While dental problems are rare, they can occur.

Some common dental problems seen during pregnancy include:

Gingivitis – This is a common dental issue for pregnant woman. From the swollen and inflamed gums to tenderness while brushing, up to 50 percent of pregnant women suffer from some level of pregnancy-induced gingivitis. If you want to avoid the pain and discomfort, just step up your efforts and make sure you’re brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

Tumors – While rare, gingivitis and plaque can cause tumors during pregnancy. These harmless growths are seen on the gums and will often resolve themselves post-pregnancy.

Periodontal Disease – Extreme gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease in pregnant women. This infection can destroy your gums and poses a serious health risk for you and the baby. That is because this infection can get into the bloodstream and in order for your body to fight it, you may end up going into early labor or possibly miscarry.

Taking Care of Teeth and Gums While Pregnant

Spend a little more time on your teeth during your pregnancy. Make sure you’re brushing thoroughly at least twice a day or preferably after each meal. It’s also important to remove plaque buildup. If you have morning sickness, make sure you thoroughly rinse your mouth afterwards this will keep stomach acids from destroying the enamel of your teeth.

Also, keep up with regular dental checkups and have a cleaning done while you are pregnant. Just let your dental professional know about the pregnancy so that they can take extra precautions.

Schedule Your Prenatal Dental Checkup Today

Prenatal dental visits can detect early issues with gingivitis and plaque. Contact the team at Skopp DDS online at www.skoppdds.com today to schedule your prenatal cleaning and checkup at 561-277-3159. Let us help keep your baby and smile as healthy as possible during those nine months.