Pregnancy is a wonderful and challenging time in a mother’s life. There are many things you need to consider when you are pregnant, and an often-overlooked area is your oral health. Did you know that pregnancy can lead to higher risk of gum disease? This is why it is especially important to work with your dentist to come up with a dental care plan.
What Do You Need To Consider For A Pregnancy Dental Care Plan?
It is easy for a pregnant woman to focus her energy on doing what ever she can to protect the baby’s health, but sometimes this can cause her to neglect her own healthcare needs. During this time an expecting mother can expect her hormones to change, which can greatly affect her oral health.
Here are some things to watch out for if you are expecting:
Gingivitis and Gum Disease
Hormonal changes can cause inflammation and tender gums, or even pregnancy gingivitis. In fact, approx. 75% of expecting mothers face these issues. When left untreated, this can lead to more severe conditions like periodontitis and bone loss. Older women are at increased risk of oral health concerns and should take extra precautions for gum disease prevention.
Acidity
If you are someone who suffers from morning sickness while pregnant, remember that nausea comes with the acidity from your stomach. You will want to take the time to clean your teeth after you have episodes of morning sickness. You can try using fluoride-based mouthwashes to clean your mouth. This is not only great for your teeth, but may help alleviate your nausea.
Dry-Mouth
Dry-mouth can lead to tooth decay. It is important to try to stay hydrated and keep your teeth lubricated. During pregnancy, you are far more likely to face dry mouth conditions than at other times. To combat this, try drinking extra water, chew sugar free gum, or suck on a sugar free mint to encourage saliva production.
Staying Proactive: Joliet Family Dental Care Services for All Ages
To help ensure that you give yourself the best chance at a healthy mouth during pregnancy and avoid bad teeth after pregnancy, you should take the following steps:
- Practice good oral hygiene practices.
- Make smart food and drink choices.
- Maintain your professional teeth cleaning schedule.
- Postpone dental treatments and x-rays until it is safe for the child.
- Consult with your dentist.
Here at Shorewood Family Dental Care, we can work with you on an oral healthcare treatment plan while you are expecting. Our friendly staff will make sure that you have everything to maintain your health and protect your child’s health during your pregnancy. If you are growing your family in the greater Joliet Illinois area and are looking for a dental practice that has worked with expecting mothers, look not further than Shorewood Family Dental Care. And when your newborn is ready, we will gladly help you start them on a journey to long term oral health success as well. Come see us today.
