Numerous biological changes occur during pregnancy, which if not managed, may lead to complications. Hormonal changes are one of the major changes which occur in the body and may alter the blood chemistry. This may further damage your gums and teeth increasing the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your oral health care provider/dentist regarding the care of gums and teeth.

 

As soon as you get the news of your pregnancy, consult your dentist. Your dentist will not only clean your teeth and gums but also make you aware of how to take care of oral hygiene during pregnancy.

 

You may suffer from the following dental problems during pregnancy:

  • Red, swollen gums which may have pain  especially while brushing teeth
  • Plaque formation in the gums
  • Bleeding from the gums
  • Formation of cavities which may finally lead to tooth decay
  • Overgrowth of tissues, called pregnancy tumors, during the second trimester

 

Therefore, to prevent the above problems it is important to follow dental care from the initial days of pregnancy.

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The following are the tips that you can take to maintain healthy teeth and gums during the three trimesters of pregnancy:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice daily. Make sure to use fluoride toothpaste. Use toothbrush with soft bristles. Also, brush your teeth in case you have had a mid-night snack.
  • Daily flossing following brushing is also equally important. Flossing is very important in case of swollen, red and bleeding gums. Flossing not only increases the strength of the gums but also decreases the chances of getting infection, called gingivitis.
  • A well-balanced diet, which should include vitamin B12 and vitamin C and calcium, for healthy gums and teeth should be taken. Decrease the intake of sugar as it can increase the risk of tooth decay. Fruits are the best alternatives for sugary snacks. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
  • Visit your dentist regularly.
  • In case of plaque formation use anti-microbial mouth wash as prescribed by your dentist.
  • Morning sickness and vomiting is a common symptom seen in early pregnancy. Therefore, rinse your mouth with baking soda (1 teaspoon) mixed with water. Also, make sure that you rinse your mouth with anti-microbial mouth wash after every vomiting.

 

Dental x-rays: Routine dental x-rays can be taken during pregnancy. They are not considered harmful to the growing baby because of the less amount of radiation.  However, dental x-rays are generally avoided during the last trimester because of the risk of early labour or premature delivery.

 

Medicines: In case you need to undergo any dental procedure during pregnancy, then lidocaine is the common anesthetic agent used because it does not harm the baby. Also, antibiotics, such as penicillin or clindamycin are safe during pregnancy. However, always take the medicines as prescribed by your dentist.

 

Continue taking care of your teeth and mouth even after your baby is born.

In conclusion, DO NOT miss your prenatal dental check-ups. These check-ups will lower you chances of tooth decay and other risk factors. If you get complete dental care during or before pregnancy then there are chances that you may not have any dental problems during pregnancy.