While taking proper care of your teeth, gums and mouth is important at any stage in life, having appropriate dental care habits is especially important for pregnant women. Because so many changes are happening in your body during a pregnancy, it’s vital for pregnant women to combat those changes that could negatively affect their overall health, like those that take place in your mouth. To help you understand just how important dental care is during pregnancy and how to have healthier teeth and gums during this time, here are three tips for improved dental habits to take up during those nine months.
Getting Dental Work Done
Because it’s recommends for everyone to have bi-annual check ups and cleanings with a dentist, this is something that pregnant women definitely shouldn’t skip out on. However, some women may be concerned with how dental work will affect them and their unborn child.
According to AmericanPregnancy.org, routine dental work like cavities and crowns can and should be completed even during pregnancy to reduce the risk of more serious infections forming. For the maximum amount of comfort, it’s also recommended for women to get their necessary dental work done during the second trimester, if possible, to avoid any difficulties with lying on your back as your pregnancy progresses. That being said, any other unnecessary work or non-emergent work should wait until after you’ve delivered your baby.
Give Your Gums Extra Attention
With all those extra hormones in your body, your gums are now more susceptible than ever to bacteria. For this reason, OralB.com shares that pregnant women have a greater chance of getting periodontal diseases like ginigvitis. To keep this from happening, it’s important for pregnant women to brush and floss on a very regular basis. Although some pregnant women experience swelling or bleeding gums, you should still do all you can to give your gums the extra attention they need at this time.
Your Mouth and Morning Sickness
If you experience morning sickness (or afternoon or evening sickness), it can be a real chore to clean your teeth. You may have an aversion to the taste or smell of toothpaste, or the simple task of moving the toothbrush around your mouth could make you heave. Although these can be real challenges, you should still do all you can to take care of your teeth.
WebMD tells those suffering from nausea and vomiting should be sure to rinse their mouth out with water or mouthwash to keep as much acid off the teeth as possible. This will help to keep your entire mouth fresher and combat bacteria. Also, if your previous toothpaste makes you feel sick or queasy, you may want to try switching to a more bland flavored toothpaste that you’re better able to stomach.
To have the healthiest baby possible, you have to have the healthiest body possible, including your teeth and gums. For those who are unsure about the best ways to keep their mouth fresh and clean during pregnancy, use the tips above to help you create good oral health habits for yourself and your future child.