If you are expecting a new addition to your family, congratulations! Now’s the time to start thinking about how to protect your dental health during pregnancy, and we can help you!
When to See Your Dentist?
When you find out you are pregnant, it’s best to see your dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, if you are planning to add to your family, it’s better to see a dentist before you become pregnant. This way, if you do have any dental problems, they can be treated beforehand.
We Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Smile During Pregnancy
Routine oral care in Oshawa is perfectly safe during pregnancy, and we will make sure all procedures provided will not harm you or your baby. Our dental team here at Margolian Dentistry can work with you, creating a custom treatment plan to ensure you maintain a healthy mouth right throughout pregnancy. There is an old saying that you lose a tooth for every child, but with the proper oral care this isn’t true!
Customizing Your Treatment Plan During Pregnancy
We can assess your oral health thoroughly, determining how frequently you will benefit from checkups and hygiene appointments. If we feel your risk of oral disease is higher or if you have any existing dental problems, we may suggest you come and see us more often and especially for hygiene appointments. Regularly removing dental plaque and calculus is an effective way to help prevent gum disease, and especially a condition called pregnancy gingivitis in Ajax.
What Is Pregnancy Gingivitis?
During pregnancy, the increased level of hormones can affect oral health, and especially your body’s response to dental plaque and which can increase the risk of gum disease in Oshawa. Because your gums are more sensitive to dental plaque, they become infected and inflamed more easily, creating a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. You might notice your gums are more sensitive and irritated, and that they look swollen or bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. Pregnancy gingivitis tends to develop between the second and eighth month, reaching a peak during the third trimester. Although you cannot control your hormones, maintaining excellent oral health helps to protect your teeth and gums during pregnancy.
Looking after Your Oral Care at Home
Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste for a little extra protection. Ensure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and especially if your gums feel tender and swollen. Flossing once-a-day is essential and helps to remove trapped food and bacteria from between your teeth. It’s worth spending a bit of extra time on caring for your teeth and gums during pregnancy and especially if you do have pregnancy gingivitis in Whitby. Regularly removing dental plaque helps to reduce the effects of inflammation.
Morning Sickness and Oral Health
If you have morning sickness, your teeth are exposed to strong stomach acid, which can weaken tooth enamel by demineralization. This increases the risk of acid erosion and tooth decay. After being sick, make sure you rinse your mouth with water or fluoride mouthwash but wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth. Waiting allows the acidity levels in your mouth to normalize so that your tooth enamel re-hardens slightly during a process called remineralization. If you were to brush your teeth immediately, you would brush softer tooth enamel, which is more easily eroded.
Benefits of Good Oral Health During Pregnancy
Maintaining good oral health prevents several risks to you and your baby. Pregnant women with poor oral health have an increased risk of developing periodontitis or advanced gum disease and which is associated with preterm births or having a low birthweight baby.
