Why taking care of your dental health is so important during pregnancy?

Why taking care of your dental health is so important during pregnancy?

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Why taking care of your dental health is so important during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is such a thrilling experience in every women’s life. It brings a lot of changes in your body as well as in your mouth. During pregnancy, your hormone level increases, which can cause various gum diseases. Therefore, it is highly recommended to maintain good oral hygiene during your pregnancy as there is a bond between your health during pregnancy and your baby’s health. Pregnancy gingivitis: Pregnancy gingivitis is one of the common gum diseases develop around 60 to 70 percent of all pregnant women. It occurs because of the increased levels of progesterone hormone. The symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis are usually swelling, bleeding, redness, and tenderness in the gum. It is extremely important to maintain good oral care to avoid the risk of any serious issues such as periodontitis and gum disease which may cause premature birth and low birth rate. Therefore, if you notice that your gums are bleeding more often during pregnancy, see your dentist. Plaque Build-up during pregnancy: Due to the changes in hormone level, the risk of oral health issues increases. Plaque is the most common of them. As with regular brushing and flossing, you may reduce the plaque. However, during pregnancy, your body might not be able to fight off plaque so easily, which may cause gingivitis and tooth decay. Hence, a regular dental cleaning is strongly suggested during pregnancy to avoid serious dental issues. Dental Erosion during pregnancy: A lot of women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, which leads to vomiting, or gastric reflux. It brings a lot of concerns among expectant mother related to various oral health issues. The acid present in your stomach coats your teeth when you vomit or reflux. This increased amount of acid can cause dental erosion and increases the risk of tooth decay. The best thing you can do to protect your tooth enamel is rinsing your mouth with one tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in water. Baking soda will help in neutralizing the acid from your stomach. Do this before brushing your teeth. Dental X-Ray during pregnancy: According to the American Dental Association and the American Pregnancy Association, X-Rays are safe to have during pregnancy. However, there are a lot of controversies going on this issue. Always tell your dentist and the staffs when you are pregnant and your current health. If you are not comfortable or if your dentist recommends you to postpone, you can go ahead with that decision. Dental care tips during pregnancy:
  1. Visit your dentist: Dentist can help you in keeping your mouth and your baby healthy during pregnancy. Visiting your dentist more frequently is the best way to ensure that you are keeping good oral hygiene.
  2. Maintaining oral hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily to remove plaque. Flossing your teeth is equally important to remove food debris from the teeth. Ask your dentist for antimicrobial mouthwash to rinse your mouth. This will help you in preventing gingivitis.
  3. Nutrition: Always prefer having a balanced diet and nutrition diet during pregnancy and limit the intake of unnecessary sugar intake.
  4. Fluoride: According to The American Dental Association, a person above the age of 6 can use toothpaste with fluoride. Alcohol-free fluoride help in reducing the plaque in the mouth.
If you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you may consider seeing your dentist for your oral health care.
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