Teeth and gums in pregnancy
Pregnancy is usually one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life but with that usually comes big changes in their body. Aside from the physical changes, hormonal changes also pose a challenge during this time. Some woman tend to suffer swollen and inflamed gums making pregnant woman some of our most vulnerable when it comes to the dreaded gum disease.
We know that we are always going on about gum disease but it is important, considering how common it is among adults. Although there can be a number of different causes, gum disease is generally a result of excess plaque which gets into your gum tissue. Unfortunately, hormonal changes during pregnancy could increase the amount of plaque in your mouth leading to the first and treatable form of gum disease known as Gingivitis.
You can recognise Gingivitis if:
- Your gums are red and swollen
- Sensitive and painful to touch
- If your gums bleed easily when eating, brushing or just at random
- If you experience increased toothaches
- Tooth discolouration
Here are a few tips on how you can keep your gums healthy during pregnancy:
- Follow a good diet: In other words, cut out your teeth’s number one enemy – sugar. Trust us, you will be doing both you and your baby a favour. If you’re hungry between meals, snack on vegetables.
- Practice good oral care: Brush twice a day, floss once a day and rinse in between meals. Following good oral care, the routine is crucial at this point in time.
- Do not miss your check-ups: Professional cleaning helps removes some of the plaque that you may have missed. It also allows for the dentist to monitor your mouth and pick up any changes. The faster we pick up a problem, the faster it is treated.
- Watch the mouth wash: We would advise that you use warm salt water to rinse in between meals rather than using an alcohol based mouth wash.
- Give up smoking: Stop smoking, as it can make gum disease worse.
- Brush your teeth before you eat breakfast, not after: Do not forget to inform us that you are pregnant.
- Morning sickness (nausea and throwing up) is common during pregnancy. However, the acid from your stomach can eat away at your enamel. It also softens it, so avoid bushing straight after you throw up. Rinse with warm water instead. Wait for an hour before your brush your teeth.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is as important to you as it is to us, book an appointment with us today!
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