Oral Health and Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide For Moms-To-Be

 Worried about your dental health during pregnancy? Here's a complete guide for you to take care of your oral health when expecting a baby.

 

When you're about to become a mom, you want everything to go smoothly and perfectly for your baby's arrival. This includes eating healthy, doing light but regular exercise, getting enough sleep, managing stress, etc. However, one aspect that pregnant women often ignore that is vital to their and their baby's health is oral care.

The human body is interconnected, which means when you take care of your oral health, your overall health will improve as well. The same is the case for when you’re pregnant.

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of oral care in pregnancy and its link to prenatal care. 

 

How Pregnancy Affects Dental Care

When women get pregnant, their bodies become much more active and blood flow increases. Hormone levels become unstable as well. These changes affect dental cavities and gums and the chances of a woman developing dental complications increase.

Some common dental problems women develop during pregnancy are:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a condition where your gums get swollen, sore, and turn red. They may bleed occasionally, like when you brush or eat something. Gingivitis is caused by increased levels of progesterone, a type of hormone found in women.

Periodontitis

Gingivitis, if not treated in time, can lead to periodontitis, which is even more painful and difficult to treat. Some of the symptoms of periodontitis are similar to gingivitis, like swollen, red gums and occasional bleeding, etc. However, periodontitis infection can spread further to the jaw bone and be extremely painful.

Tooth Decay

The acid levels in a women's mouth increase when she's going through a pregnancy, which increases the chances of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when bacteria eat the enamel on your teeth. These bacteria thrive in acidic conditions and can cause cavities that lead to tooth decay. You may also experience tooth sensitivity due to enamel loss.

Loose Teeth

Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body have an impact on their teeth and bones. It makes them weak, ultimately making teeth looser.

Masses

Pregnant women often develop benign masses between their teeth. These lumps of tissue in between the teeth are caused when a woman's gums are swollen. These are non-cancerous and usually go away when the swelling goes away. However, if they don't, you can get them operated out. 

Why Prioritize Oral Care in Pregnancy

As per the CDC, as many as 75% of women get gingivitis when pregnant. It usually starts around the second month of pregnancy, and if not treated, peaks around the 8th month. As mentioned earlier, it can develop into periodontitis, which isn't just painful for you, but harmful for the baby as well.

As per research, periodontitis is linked to low birth weight as well as premature birth. This is because the bacteria in your gums trigger the production of a group of lipids called prostaglandins. When prostaglandins enter the bloodstream, they can have adverse effects on the health of the unborn baby.

Oral Care Tips for Pregnant Women

Dental care during pregnancy comes down to maximizing nutrients and minimizing the growth of bad bacteria. You can do that by:

Brushing Your Teeth After Every Meal

Pregnancy is exhausting. It can change your routine, which includes the time you take your daily meals. One thing you must ensure is that you brush after every meal.

Forgetting to brush once or twice is excusable, but forgetting frequently will allow the bacteria to grow, causing dental problems for you. If you can't manage to brush after every meal, do it twice at least. Once in the morning right after you wake up, and once before going to bed at night.

Floss Everyday

Just brushing isn't enough; you will also need to floss regularly every day. Flossing before you go to bed helps remove any food particles stuck between your teeth, preventing the growth of bacteria and plaque. If plaque builds up, it might be difficult to remove with just brushing.

Moreover, if plaque isn't removed, it turns into tartar. Tartar forms around the gum line and can cause tooth decay, periodontitis, receding gums, etc.

Take More Vitamins

Taking vitamins in the form of supplements not only helps in avoiding nutrient deficiencies but also sets the foundation for good oral health. Moreover, your growing baby needs nutrients as well.

 

Here are some vitamins you can take for your oral and overall health:

·         Vitamin D

Vitamin D is used for absorbing phosphorus and calcium, both of which help keep your teeth strong. Vitamin D also helps your body fight off illnesses, elevates your mood, and reduces the chances of preeclampsia, a blood pressure-related condition that can happen during pregnancy.

·         Vitamin B12

Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to gum diseases and natural birth defects. A study finds that women with vitamin B12 deficiency are 5 times more likely to conceive a child with a neural tube problem.

·         Vitamin A

Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy can result in decreased production of saliva, increasing the chances of gum disease. Vitamin A assists the body in producing the saliva normally required to keep your gums healthy.

·         Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system of the body and helps strengthen the gums, reducing the chances of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Can Pregnant Women Go to a Dentist?

The answer is yes. There's no risk in visiting the dentist when you're pregnant. In fact, you must go for regular dental check-ups when pregnant so that you and your baby can stay healthy. 

 

If you're in search of a Dentists in Woodland Hills CA, West Hills Smiles is the place to go. They offer multiple dental treatments, including general dentistry services, cosmetic dentistry services, dental implants, and more. They have a panel of expert doctors that provide Emergency Dental Services West Hills after business hours as well. Contact them now for more information regarding their services or to book an appointment!