How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Changes Women Body

As a pregnant woman, your body is likely already going through several changes. Some may seem obvious. One less obvious change is to your oral health. Certain factors and side effects of pregnancy can have an impact on your gums and teeth. Here's what you need to know about dental health and pregnancy.

Pregnancy Affects Dental Condition

One of the ways that your oral health can be impacted by your pregnancy is vomiting. While not all women will experience morning sickness, those that do are damaging their teeth. This is because stomach acid, which makes up a large part of vomit, can erode teeth. It can also erode gums.

If you already have a sore on your gums, then vomiting may also lead to an even more serious infection.

Another way pregnancy affects your oral health is through cravings. Oddly enough, as a pregnant woman, you likely experienced odd or strange cravings. They often tend to lean towards the sugary side. You may consume more sugary foods and snacks than you do normally.

If you don't increase your oral care to combat the consumption of sugary foods, then you're setting yourself up for disaster. Sugar can quickly lead to plaque build-up. This can eventually lead to gingivitis and cavities.

Finally, you may develop pregnancy epulis. This is a condition in which the pregnancy causes you to form a round growth on your gums. It's usually red and can bleed easily.

All of these situations can eventually lead to gum disease. Because gum disease can lead to bone loss and tooth loss, it's vital that pregnant mothers keep up with their oral healthcare routine. Studies have shown that a dip in dental care may lead to premature births. Those who are born prematurely may suffer from hearing problems or have difficulties with their sight.

Tips For Maintaining Dental Health During Pregnancy

Taking care of your teeth during your pregnancy is easy. You just have to be aware of yourself and be proactive in your dental care routine. Here are a few tips you should follow.

Brush twice a day
Floss once a day
Decrease sugar consumption
Eat healthily
Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Visit the dentist every six months

To ensure you have a decreased chance of developing dental problems while you're pregnant, you should start taking care of your teeth now. That includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. When you're pregnant, you may want to increase brushing to three times a day or after consuming meals.

Eating fibery foods can also help keep your teeth healthy. The fiber acts almost like a toothbrush in itself. It may also help keep your stomach calm.

To avoid vomiting, you'll want to stay away from acidic foods or other foods that you know cause you indigestion, heartburn, or other gastrointestinal problems.

Finally, you should visit your dentist more often while you're pregnant. At least, you should visit them every six months. When you visit, inform your dentist that you're pregnant. They may be able to recommend additional measures to improve your oral care.

Organic Dental Care Products for Pregnants

The quality of your oral routine depends on the quality of the tools that you use. To ensure you receive the best clean possible while doing your part to preserve the environment for your child to enjoy, you should use bamboo toothbrushes. This toothbrush uses antibacterial bristles, is safe to harvest, and it's soft on your gums.

Using organic remineralizing toothpaste can also help fight gum disease while restoring strength to your teeth. It's fluoride-free, as well, if you're concerned about introducing fluoride to your growing baby.

Tagged: