What Every Expecting Mother Should Know About Oral Health

May 2, 2017

When you’re expecting a child, it is easy to become so caught up in preparing your home for your new arrival that you neglect your own oral health. However, pregnancy causes changes in the body that make you more susceptible to gum disease and other oral problems. For this reason, it is even more important to care for your oral health during pregnancy than at any other time. Here are a few things every expecting mother should know about pregnancy and oral health.

1. You Can Visit a Dentist While Pregnant

Some pregnant women mistakenly believe it isn’t safe to visit a dentist or receive normal dental care while pregnant. Although it is best not to receive pain medications, antibiotics or dental anesthetics during your first trimester, it is usually safe to receive more thorough dental care during your third trimester. Tell your dentist about your pregnancy, and he or she will make sure your unborn child’s safety is not compromised while you receive the dental services you need.

2. Common Oral Problems Associated With Pregnancy

It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience pregnancy gingivitis. This condition occurs when a buildup of dental plaque on the teeth causes inflammation in the gums. Pregnancy gingivitis occurs due to increased hormone levels that exaggerate the soft tissue response to irritants like plaque. Since gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, pregnant women need to be especially vigilant about maintaining good oral hygiene throughout pregnancy.

3. Your Dietary Choices Can Help

You can decrease your chances of developing pregnancy-related oral problems by consuming healthy foods. Vegetables, fruits and wholesome dairy products can strengthen your teeth and help your body defend itself against harmful oral bacteria.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you are an expecting mother, May is the perfect time to honor Mother’s Day by getting the oral care you need. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Stephen Strout, trusted family dentist in St. Augustine, FL, by calling Advanced Periodontics and Implant Surgery.

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