Pregnancy causes significant changes to your body, but did you know it can also affect your dental health? Regular dental checkups in Newcastle are even more important during pregnancy.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Dental Health
When you are pregnant, your hormone levels change significantly so your body can focus on growing your baby. These hormones affect other tissues in your body, including your mouth. Below are some of the ways dental health can be affected during pregnancy.
- Gum Disease
Pregnancy gingivitis in Clarington is a form of gum disease. During pregnancy, hormonal changes make your gums more sensitive to the bacteria that cause gum disease. Consequently, they can become inflamed and red and might start to bleed while you brush and floss. If you already have gum disease, then pregnancy may worsen this condition.
- Enamel Erosion
Morning sickness can happen anytime, resulting in strong stomach acid coating your teeth. The acid can erode your tooth enamel, causing it to become weaker and thinner.
If you have morning sickness, then your natural reaction is probably to try and brush your teeth as soon as possible. However, resist this urge and instead rinse your mouth with water immediately to reduce acidity levels.
Another trick is to mix a little baking soda in the water and rinse your mouth using this. The baking soda helps to neutralize acids more quickly.
Wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth. Waiting gives your mouth time to return to a more neutral pH, and at this point, your tooth enamel starts to re-harden, making it safer to brush without damaging it.
- Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in Bowmanville is a problem that can affect anybody, but during pregnancy, cravings for sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods can increase. Eating these foods more frequently, especially between meals, can increase the risk of cavities.
Bacteria in dental plaque feed on sugary or starchy leftovers, producing acid that weakens tooth enamel, eventually resulting in cavities. You can help reduce this risk by maintaining a good brushing and flossing routine, again waiting at least half an hour after snacking before cleaning your teeth.
If you have pregnancy cravings for sweet and starchy foods, try to have these as part of your main meal and ensure you eat healthily at other times.
How to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you can take some steps to maintain good oral health. Ideally, it’s best to have a full dental checkup before pregnancy so we can address any issues and ensure you have a healthy mouth to start with. Otherwise, please make an appointment to come and see us as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Keep up with Your Dental Appointments
Regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments are perfectly safe during pregnancy. Rest assured that we will not provide any treatment that could harm your baby.
Regular hygiene appointments help eliminate plaque and tartar buildup, enabling you to maintain healthy gums and teeth more easily by getting rid of the bacteria in these substances. If you have signs of pregnancy gingivitis or issues with gum disease, we may recommend more frequent cleanings to help manage these conditions during pregnancy.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
Regular brushing and flossing is important. Ensure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth, and don’t brush too hard, as this can damage your tooth enamel. If you have morning sickness, keep a dental travel kit with you, including a bottle of water, so that you can freshen up soon afterwards.