While you know you must take care of your health while you’re pregnant, did you know that you should pay special attention to your dental health? Sure, while you’re dealing with morning sickness and weird cravings, your teeth aren’t exactly going to be your top priority. Plus, you’ll try to do what you can to ensure your body is comfortable. However, your oral hygiene while pregnant can help ensure that your pregnancy stays safe and that your baby will be healthy. So, here is everything you need to know about taking care of your oral hygiene while pregnant.
How to Take Care of Your Oral Hygiene While Pregnant
Brushing and flossing
During pregnancy, keeping your teeth and gums in good condition is essential. Good oral health can improve your overall health and help your baby get the best start in life. Some women are affected by pregnancy gingivitis, which is gum inflammation. It is a common occurrence in pregnancy and generally goes away after delivery.
It commonly happens during pregnancy due to hormones, but you can visit your local family dentistry to get a second opinion. It’s a good idea to see your dentist during pregnancy because they’ll be able to monitor your gums and check for any oral health issues. In addition, dental work performed during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby.
Avoiding sugary snacks
While those pregnancy cravings are very common, you’ll have to be careful. A high-sugar diet during pregnancy may increase the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and obesity later in life. Having a high-sugar pregnancy diet can also hamper your baby’s metabolic rate.
It can lead to type 2 diabetes in the future. Instead, focus on healthy whole foods, including lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods contain essential vitamins and minerals. They also contain phytonutrients, which help strengthen your immune system.
Prenatal dental check-ups are essential for oral hygiene while pregnant
During pregnancy, a woman should visit the dentist for a dental check-up. These visits help the mother maintain healthy teeth and gums and also help prevent dental problems for the baby. During pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal changes can affect her oral health. Some of these changes can lead to erosion and tooth decay.
Also, a pregnant woman may be more susceptible to changes in her diet. If there are high levels of progesterone or estrogen, this can have the potential to make women lose their teeth. While every six months is typical to see your dentist, you might want to go one or two more times during pregnancy.
Watch out for bacteria
During pregnancy, women face several oral health issues, including gum disease. It can lead to poor birth outcomes for both the mother and baby. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help alleviate this condition. Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gum tissue caused by bacterial infection.
This infection can spread to the bones of the mouth and into the fetus’s membranes, putting the baby at risk. It’s also linked to preterm birth and low birth weight. While this isn’t too common, it’s still something that soon-to-be mothers must keep a close eye on.
I had no idea that special attention needed to be paid to oral hygiene while someone is pregnant. I learned something new here — thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it.