Dental Tips During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, your body experiences many changes. Morning sickness, nausea and fatigue are common issues related to pregnancy, but many women don’t know that dental health can be affected too.

Look out for gum disease

Dealing with your oral well-being is critical around your pregnancy. All that progesterone and oestrogen swimming around your body can cause gums to soften and bleed leaving them open to gum disease and other tooth issues.

Pregnancy causes blood stream increments by 30 to 50% which additionally creates more blood stream to your gums potentially causing gum issues. In the UK a large portion of pregnant women experience the ill effects of pregnancy gingivitis (combined gum infection and sensitivity) which if left untreated could impact both mother and child. So taking care of your oral hygiene is as important in pregnancy as it is in daily life.

Brush and floss

To keep problems at bay you should brush and floss frequently, ideally after dinners or sugary snacks, but definitely twice every day. However, always be gentle in treating your teeth and gums as they become vulnerable and can bleed easily during pregnancy. Pregnant women are also advised to use a softer toothbrush because the hormonal changes make the gums more sensitive. In addition, it is recommended to use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and gums.

Use a good mouthwash

Nausea and morning sickness that strikes with pregnancy is also harmful to oral health owing to the fact that it can damage the surface layer of teeth. Always use a good antibacterial mouthwash with a cool minty flavour so that it doesn’t add to your nausea and also to keep the enamel protected.

Eat healthily

Another good suggestion is to consume healthy food and drinks and include more dairy products on your menu and stay away from sugary products and other snacks. By doing this you will strengthen your own teeth thanks to the minerals found in these products and support the proper development of teeth in your baby.

Get free dental care

Pregnant women are entitled to free dental care and treatment from the very start of their pregnancy until the child turns one so we would advise you to take advantage of this offer and make an appointment as soon as you’ve found out about your pregnancy.

If you’re planning to have a baby but are not pregnant yet it makes sense to book a dental appointment beforehand so that any dental treatment that needs to be done can be carried out first i.e. x rays can take place before your pregnancy.

For more information about dental treatment during pregnancy please get in touch.