Congratulations, you have a baby on the way! Did you know it’s very important to maintain good oral health during pregnancy? Research suggests that women with periodontal (gum) disease may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such giving birth to a pre-term or low-birth weight baby, reports the AAP and EFP.
As you can see, dental visits during pregnancy are vital. Like you need one more thing to add on your list, right? Well, we at Schur Orthodontics are here to help by coordinating your dental and orthodontic visits for you!
If you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant) please notify our team and you dentist right away.
Here are a few reasons you should baby your teeth while you’re pregnant:
Dental X-Rays:
These can be delayed until after your pregnancy, but can be completed safely if there’s a possibility of an infection. Dental infections could pose a bigger risk than x-rays to the fetus.
Pregnancy Gingivitis:
Hormone levels are high and can affect your mouth. Your gums may be swollen and tender, and will bleed a lot when flossing and brushing. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to reduce the risk of a more serious form of gum disease.
High Risk of Tooth Decay:
1. Morning sickness increases the amount of acid in your mouth, which could weaken your tooth enamel.
2. Increased carbohydrates in your diet can be an invitation to tooth decay.
3. Poor dental habits or lack of dental hygiene due to exhaustion, a more sensitive gag reflex, and tender gums can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Medications:
If your dentist has to prescribe any medications, he/she may need to consult with your physician to choose the right one for you to safely take during pregnancy.
Finally, here are a few things for you to remember to help make this a healthy pregnancy:
• Keep up with your daily dental routine (floss once and brush twice a day).
• Eat nutritious and well-balanced foods. You will have the urge to snack constantly, especially on foods that are high in carbs, so try to choose foods such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products.
• If you have morning sickness and are vomiting frequently, don’t brush right away; you could be scrubbing stomach acids on your enamel. Instead, rinse with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water to prevent stomach acid from attacking your teeth.
Contact us to coordinate your next dental appointment and to help ensure that you and your baby will have a healthy, happy nine months!
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