Taking care of yourself and your oral health is always important, but when you’re pregnant, your health isn’t the only thing you have to worry about anymore. The health of the baby can also be affected by your habits and how well you attend to your health needs. Along with all the other health surprises that pregnancy brings, like morning sickness, there are some pregnancy-specific oral health changes that are important to be aware of. Today in the Parkcrest Dental Group blog, we’ll go over things you should know about your oral health when you’re pregnant.
Let Your Dentist Know
First things first, although you might be waiting to tell everyone about your pregnancy, you should still tell your dentist at Parkcrest Dental Group right away at your next appointment. Although they’re probably not the person you first thought of when breaking the good news, they’re taking care of medical issues for you and they need to know. Things like x-rays, anesthetics, and pain medication will be foregone if possible, as we wouldn’t the baby to be negatively affected while he or she is still developing.
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Oral Problems that May Develop
During your pregnancy, you’ll be more susceptible to some unique oral health issues. The most common are pregnancy gingivitis, pregnancy tumors, and issues caused by morning sickness. These issues can be easily managed, especially with help from Parkcrest Dental Group. Let’s take a close look at each of these issues, so you can work to prevent them at home.
Pregnancy Gingivitis – Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the increased hormones you have while pregnant. Your gums well and may bleed a little when you brush. As with any gum issues, you just need to be proactive at home to help deter and prevent them. Make sure you’re brushing with a soft brush, using a good toothpaste, and flossing twice a day. If possible, brushing after each meal will help. Of course, regular cleanings at Parkcrest Dental Group will also help to keep the plaque at bay.
Pregnancy Tumors – Don’t worry, these sound scarier than they actually are. Pregnancy tumors, also due to increased hormones, may develop on your gums. They’re small, non-malignant growths that may form at sometimes during your pregnancy. These usually go away on their own, but can be removed if necessary.
Morning Sickness – Morning sickness is par for the course in pregnancy, and unfortunately, the acid from the vomit can cause damage to your teeth if you aren’t taking care of them. It’s important that you don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. Using a basic mouthwash or rinsing with water will be better in the short-term, and then you can brush later.
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Contact Parkcrest Dental Group
Parkcrest Dental Group is here to help our patients with whatever unique oral health issues they may face. If you’re pregnant, we can make sure to outline a comprehensive oral health plan for you to follow throughout the pregnancy and schedule regular visits at Parkcrest Dental Group to ensure your oral health is optimum. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
