Many women just naturally begin to pay attention to their health when they are expecting a baby. Often, women will stop smoking, eat more nutritious food, stop drinking alcohol, and get more sleep. Along with those prenatal vitamins, you might want to consider how pregnancy can affect your oral health as well. To find out more about some common worrisome issues that can affect mothers-to-be, read on.
Do You Have Morning Sickness?
This mostly first-trimester malady affects about 70% of all mothers and in most cases, it all but disappears after that. Nausea and vomiting, particularly in the morning (but it can occur anytime during the day or night) can not just make moms feel bad but can also affect their teeth. Stomach acids are meant to remain in the stomach and these acids can, over time, damage your tooth enamel. Once your enamel has come into contact with stomach acids repeatedly, it can weaken your teeth making them more vulnerable to cracks, chips, and cavities. As long you continue to see your dentist for regular check-ups during pregnancy, these problems can be caught early and addressed before major damage is done.
Keep Up With Your Check-ups
Speaking of check-ups, there is no need to leave off your dental cleanings and exams during pregnancy. Let everyone at the dental practice know about your pregnancy before and during your appointments. Dentists are trained to deal with dental procedures on pregnant women and understand how to take precautions to protect you and the baby. Some procedures can be put off till after the baby is born, but things like cleanings, cavity fillings, and even dental x-rays are safe for you and baby.
Beware of Gum Disease
A healthy pregnancy is facilitated by the mother's hormones. Unfortunately, one of the most important pregnancy hormones, progesterone, may be responsible for a greater risk of gum disease in pregnant women. It all comes down to good oral health and the potential for gum disease. Gingivitis is a common and relatively minor gum disorder that can progress to periodontitis if not addressed quickly. Periodontitis is a far more serious gum disease that may cause permanent damage to the bones in the jaw. Signs of gum disease include bleeding when brushing and flossing, swelling, and pain.
Staying in close contact with your dentist during pregnancy is vital so that you can relax and enjoy your baby without having to worry about pressing dental issues.
For more information on dental treatment services, contact your dentist.
Share26 September 2019
When the bottled water craze began, I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else who was drinking water from bottles instead of from the tap. I wasn't sure why bottled water was healthier, but I liked the taste. When I went for my next dental check-up, I had my first cavity in a while, so I had it filled and didn't think much of it. Well, I had two more during my next check-up after that, and I began trying to think of why my teeth were suddenly going bad. The only change in my habits was the switch to bottled water, so I made the switch back to tap water and my teeth began to improve. I created this blog to encourage others who have begun getting cavities suddenly to look into their changes in habits. They may find they made a change similar to mine.