Dental care during pregnancy is not as exciting as pregnancy. Pregnancy is one of the most exciting, nervous, anxiety-filled, joyous, and scary times for a woman. You can still maintain a healthy mouth even though it can be tricky, even at the best times. Throw pregnancy into the mix, and you have a battle that seems almost impossible to win. Saying it’s tough would be the biggest understatement of all time, and it’s almost impossible to devote your attention to both things equally. However, staying on top of your oral health is essential to deliver a healthy baby. You must also keep tabs on your mouth for your own sake; pregnancy can have strange effects. Let’s explore the effects of pregnancy on your mouth, the effects of your oral hygiene on your pregnancy, what you should do before you get pregnant, how you should take care of your mouth while you’re pregnant, and what you should do for your mouth after you’ve delivered. Also, as your trusted Port Coquitlam dentist, we’re committed to providing high-quality dental care personalized to your unique needs and goals.
The effects of pregnancy on your mouth
Pregnancy gingivitis: Pregnancy brings a ton of changes to your body. Hormones begin going haywire, you board the emotional rollercoaster, and your body is in complete disarray, trying to scramble to keep up. Your mouth can be affected by these hormonal changes in your body. Some women develop pregnancy gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling, tenderness, and the tendency to bleed. Left unattended, gingivitis can lead to more severe forms of gum disease. When you get pregnant, be sure to inform your dentist, and they may suggest more frequent dental cleanings.
Tooth decay: During pregnancy, women may be more susceptible to cavities for several reasons. An increase in carbohydrate consumption can lead to decay. In addition, acid left behind by morning sickness can atrophy tooth enamel.
Pregnancy tumours: During some pregnancies, some women develop overgrowths of tissue called “pregnancy tumours.” These growths typically appear on the gums during the second trimester. Don’t worry; they’re not cancerous and result from swelling that most often occurs between teeth.
The effects of oral hygiene in pregnancy
The correlation between oral hygiene and pregnancy is a two-way street. Just as pregnancy can affect your mouth, oral hygiene can affect your pregnancy. Some of the risks associated with poor oral hygiene and pregnancy include:
- Delivering a preterm baby
- Preeclampsia
- Developmental complications with the child
- Greater risk of asthma in the child
- Risk of the baby developing ear infections
- Birth abnormalities
- Behavioural difficulties
- Infant death
- Delivering a baby with a low birth weight
What you should do before, during, and after your pregnancy
When planning a pregnancy, try to visit your dentist’s office. This will allow you to have your teeth cleaned, gum tissue examined, and oral health issues resolved before beginning pregnancy. During pregnancy, disclose to your dentist that you are pregnant and make routine visits for dental work at any time. Emergency dental work may be done during pregnancy, but elective dental work should be done during delivery. After pregnancy, revisit your dentist to ensure your entire mouth is healthy.
Don’t hesitate to schedule a dental cleaning today if you’re in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, or any surrounding area.
