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Standard dental hygiene involves brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. If you cement this into your everyday routine, then you’ll have sparkling teeth and healthy gums for the rest of your life. However, if you haven’t been keeping up with this and you’re pregnant, you’ll want to start now. During pregnancy, poor dental habits have links to premature delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and even intrauterine growth restriction, so it will be best to visit your Ann Arbor dentist right away.
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through many more changes than you realize. Although you probably don’t associate dental hygiene with a successful pregnancy, your body works overtime to provide nourishment and proper development for a growing human being, which means everything should be in well-working order. With all the changes you’re going through, you probably have a few questions about what they mean for you and your baby. Here are some of the questions you may have about your dental health while pregnant:
Are Bleeding Gums Normal During Pregnancy?
Yes, bleeding gums are normal during pregnancy. Given all the changes in your body, you may develop pregnancy gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that usually occurs between the second and eighth months of pregnancy. It typically goes away after childbirth, but you may want to visit your dentist anyway to make sure you know all the steps you need to take to keep your mouth healthy.
Will I Really Lose a Tooth With Each Baby I Have?
This old wives’ tale continues to persist today, but it does have a tiny grain of truth. If you lose a tooth while you’re pregnant, it’s because you had a dental problem that was left unattended for too long. However, teeth tend to feel loose during pregnancy because progesterone and estrogen can relax the bones and ligaments that put them in place. Like pregnancy gingivitis, this goes away after childbirth, but it’s still a good idea to visit your dentist if you think something is amiss.
Does Morning Sickness Affect My Dental Health?
Even though the name implies otherwise, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day. Since you’ll be vomiting, you’ll be exposing your teeth to stomach acids, which can damage your enamel. It’s best to rinse your mouth thoroughly with a mouth rinse or a mixture of baking soda and water before brushing your teeth, which can reduce the damage done by the acid. Once you’re done rinsing, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
Brushing My Teeth Makes Me Gag. What Do I Do?
Like all other instances that make you gag, like accidentally inhaling foul smells, go very slowly and avoid abrupt movements. Try to change parts of your teeth brushing habits, like swapping your toothpaste’s flavor for something else, using a smaller brush with softer bristles, or even brushing at a different time of the day. If rinsing and spitting before brushing your teeth helps you feel better, try that in the meantime. Whatever you do, it’s vital to maintain your dental hygiene routine because you’re more vulnerable to cavities, so find what works for you.
Conclusion
Pregnancy comes with many surprising changes, including unexpected sensations in your gums and teeth. While most of it is normal, it’s always advisable to consult your dentist when something feels wrong. It’s also the perfect opportunity to make sure everything else is otherwise in top shape with your mouth. When in doubt, be sure to visit Ann Arbor dental care to answer all the other questions you may have about your dental health while carrying a baby.
Dental House MI offers affordable dentistry to residents of Ann Arbor and Waterford. Our dental services include preventive dentistry, dentures, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and more. Contact us today to book your appointment!
