Special oral health considerations accompany many physical and emotional changes that occur during a woman's pregnancy. Good daily habits and prevention practices will take care of many concerns, but there are some things we'd like to point out to our readers who may be pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Nearly half of all pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis.
This form of gum disease is usually mild. According to the American Dental Association, it occurs for most women between the months 2 and 8 of pregnancy. The most common symptom is red, swollen gums that bleed when an expecting mother brushes and flosses.
Fluctuating progesterone and estrogen can make teeth feel loose.
Hormones change drastically for a woman throughout pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, progesterone and estrogen can change the ligaments and bones supporting your teeth, making them feel loose. This can occur even if you don't have gum disease, but it usually goes away after pregnancy.
If you have morning sickness, don't brush your teeth right away.
Morning sickness can be a pretty normal but unpleasant part of pregnancy. Stomach acid from getting sick can do serious damage to your teeth. You'll probably want to brush right after getting sick, but instead make sure to rinse your mouth with water or a mouthwash before brushing to remove some of the acid.
Try to schedule most dental procedures before your third trimester.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say many routine dental procedures such as fillings and crowns are perfectly safe during pregnancy. Many dentists recommend scheduling these procedures before you reach your third trimester, as sitting in a dentist's chair may simply be uncomfortable at that stage in pregnancy.
If you're planning pregnancy, schedule an appointment ahead of becoming pregnant.
If you and your partner are planning to get pregnant, this is your reminder to schedule a dental appointment before you become pregnant. It's a good idea to check in with your dentist and make sure you don't have any issues that could be complicated by pregnancy or interfere with the arrival of your little one.
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