Taking Care of Your Dental Health During Pregnancy

Welcoming a new baby into the world is very fulfilling. As you look forward to giving birth, it can be overwhelming with all the doctor’s checks and antenatal appointments.

Dental health is often overlooked during pregnancy. However, it’s important to know that maintaining one’s teeth will help support both a mother and child’s well-being. Take a few measures to ensure oral care during your pregnancy with these two essential tips.

Monitor your oral health

Hormonal changes and symptoms brought by pregnancy affect both the physical and mental health not only of the mother but the infant as well. Watch out for your oral health as you may experience complications both during the pregnancy and later on.

Here are just some of the things you need to keep an eye out for:

• Fatigue - Moms may feel drained for multiple periods of time. Try not to forget to brush your teeth after every meal and before bed.
• Acid Reflux - This can lead to morning sickness and vomiting. Tooth enamel and gums are prone to damage.
• Eating Behaviour - Pregnancy can bring about different food cravings. Keep in mind that too much sugar might lead to cavities.
• Bacterial Infection - Gingivitis, or gum disease, is an inflammation of the gums and increases bacteria in the mouth. This poses a problem if it enters the bloodstream as it can cause palpitations and the like. It may also put a baby at risk when they’re in the stage of developing their own teeth later on.

Regularly schedule dental appointments

Openly communicate with your dentist throughout the whole 9 months. They will be able to construct a dental care plan that will suit you and your pregnancy, which usually means you’d have to go to the dental clinic and attend the routine checkup. Teeth cleaning is important for your dental health.

In the second and third trimesters, the effects of pregnancy are more evident and frequent in occurrence. Your dentist should be able to give a proper evaluation of your oral health before your baby’s arrival.

Advice on what you should and shouldn’t do after birth should be given in advance. You may have to undergo dental X-rays for other tests during pregnancy, which have been deemed safe by the American Dental Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Consult when facing a dental emergency

Dental emergencies can be scary to experience when you’re pregnant. The pain of cavities, broken teeth, or sore gums can come at unexpected times. After becoming aware of the issue, keep calm and talk to your dentist about what steps should be taken.

Dentists will take your pregnancy into consideration when weighing whether treatment would do more good than bad. If you aren’t confident in taking that risk, you’re free to express so and ask for a temporary pain relief plan. This will help you hold out until your baby is delivered, and you can go through the full treatment of your dental problem.

Conclusion

Looking after your dental health during pregnancy is securing your infant’s health. Be transparent with your dentist, and don’t ignore any dental pain if you experience any. That way, you’ll be beaming with the perfect smile when your family meets the new baby.

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