If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to let your dentist know because in some cases, pregnancy can lead to dental problems. One of the leading causes of oral health issues during pregnancy is due to plaque buildup. During pregnancy, the increased hormones can affect your body’s response to plaque, which can lead to gum disease and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Dental Check-Ups
One important aspect of dental care during pregnancy is avoiding procedures that could adversely affect your child's development such as X-Rays or elective procedures. The timing of your treatments is also very important. Routine dental care can be received during the second trimester. As a precautionary measure, dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester should be avoided as much as possible, except in the case of an emergency.
When you visit our office for dental care during your pregnancy, it will be more about prevention and maintenance than it will be about treatment. Our team will check your mouth and teeth to make sure they remain healthy during pregnancy. We will also be able to help if you have gingivitis, are getting too much plaque buildup on your teeth, or if your teeth are being affected by morning sickness vomiting or lack of vitamins.
Maintaining Healthy Teeth at Home
Proper oral hygiene at home is also very important. You must maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen as you would even if you weren't pregnant. Keeping a consistent oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice a day along with professional help from your dentist throughout your pregnancy will help your teeth remain bright and most importantly, healthy!
Another way to maintain healthy teeth at home is to live a healthier lifestyle. This means eating a well balanced diet, exercising regularly and trying to avoid those late night cravings. Eating right is not only vital to your health, but also your baby’s health. Avoiding processed foods and adding more vegetables to your diet will go a long way in protecting your teeth and helping your child develop!