While pregnancy can be a miracle it can also be a very busy miracle, with many things to prepare for and details to take care of. But even in this busy time, a pregnant woman should not ignore dental health as it affects not only the mother, but the child as well.
While most routine treatment is perfectly safe during pregnancy, some procedures and medications should be avoided in the first three months. Make sure your dentist knows you are pregnant.
Here are 4 important strategies we suggest at Simply Smiles Dental
- Keep your teeth and gums healthy. Gum disease can cause low birth weight, premature birth, and lead to the transfer of bacteria to a child. A mother’s healthy teeth and gums are associated with healthy children!
- Avoid or treat vomiting and acid reflux. Due to hormonal changes, some pregnant women experience morning sickness with acid reflux and/or vomiting, which can cause tooth erosion.
- Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, pregnant women can develop gum disease. Because gum disease is dangerous to mother and child, seek treatment of affected gums.
- Put down the tobacco! Tobacco products not only affect pregnant women, but also their unborn children. According to a study by the American Lung Association, tobacco use doubles the likelihood of periodontitis, which can lead to health trouble for mothers and their babies!
This risk can be reduced by rinsing your mouth with a mouth rinse or even water, chewing sugar free gum, smearing a dab of toothpaste on your teeth, and then waiting 30 minutes before brushing if you have vomited.
Signs of gum disease include bad breath, red gums (instead of pink), tender gums, swollen gums, and bleeding gums.
At Simply Smiles Dental in Mernda, we aim to give the smile of your dreams to you, your newborn, family, and friends!
Contact us on (03) 9826 2220 or request an appointment online.
