Pregnancy can be an exciting and confusing time for expecting mothers it is easy to be overloaded by so much information from everyone you know. As a clinician at Tooth Heaven I myself have encountered expecting mothers who seek advice on their journey; it's an amazing feeling to be able to educate and set you up on the path for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
In this video I’ll be going through changes on what you can expect during pregnancy and how you can maintain optimal oral health when choosing what advice to follow.
The health of you and your baby should be the most important consideration. They are intrinsically linked meaning that if you ignore your oral health and the ways it changes during your pregnancy this can be harmful to your baby.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can impact your oral health.
Your dentist should be on your list of health professionals that you consult along with your GP and obstetrician. Why as a matter of fact? Just like the rest of our body, your teeth gums and mouth are all affected by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
It is important to maintain a good oral health routine and also be aware of the changes that can cause irreversible damage to your teeth if not properly managed, thus regular checkup and cleans are a must as is your twice daily brushing routine with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing once a day.
Common side effects during pregnancy include:
- Swollen gums which have a tendency to bleed and become sensitive. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis and it is a result of changes in hormones that make the gums more sensitive to the bacteria in the plaque. Don't let the bleeding and increase sensitivity deter you from brushing and keeping up with your good oral hygiene. If you're having difficulty consult your dentist who can suggest alternative preventive care you might also develop.
- Pregnancy tumors also known as pyogenic granulomas as seen here these are red lumpy lesions that appear along the gum line and between the teeth. They are quite harmless they resemble red mulberries and usually go away once you've had your baby. If you are finding it difficult to manage then your dentist can provide you treatment options to help with it.
- Some women experience unusual food cravings during pregnancy I’ve heard pickles and peanut butter before so coming to these cravings will happen now and then and it is important to be mindful that consumption of regular sugary snacks may increase your risk of tooth decay. If nothing but sweetness satisfies your cravings try to select healthy options for example a fresh fruit or Greek yogurt.
- Morning sickness is beyond your control but it is important to know that vomiting is extremely acidic and can cause irreversible damage to your teeth known as dental erosion. This can cause your teeth to become more sensitive and susceptible to decay no matter how much you might want to brush your teeth try and withstand from doing so for at least one hour after vomiting what you can do instead is rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash or a solution of a quarter teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one cup of warm water other suggestions would be to choose sugar-free gum or eat an acid neutralizing food drink for example cheese yogurt milk. If the taste is unpleasant in your mouth what you can do is smear a small amount of toothpaste just around your teeth.
This is the most important tip do not avoid your dentist
Some expecting mothers may think dental treatment poses a risk to their baby but rest assured that is not the case at all in fact. Avoiding your dentist does more harm than good routine and urgent dental procedures can be undertaken during your pregnancy. You should continue seeing your dentist regularly having a healthy mouth before you plan to become pregnant is the best way to continue your routine dental visits.
There are many myths and misconceptions regarding dental x-rays
but the truth is you are exposed to far more radiation on a single domestic flight than from a dental x-ray. Health professionals hold a duty of care for your safety and thus take every precaution to minimize radiation. If there is a requirement for a dental x-ray it is completely safe to do so. Guidelines from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety agency state that there is no need on radiation protection grounds to defer dental radiography during pregnancy.
If you have any further questions in regards to pregnancy and how to achieve optimal oral health then please consult with one of our friendly clinicians at truth heaven we are here to help provide the best care for you and your newborn all the best.
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