A pregnant woman’s body is full of hormonal changes. Pregnancy is generally associated with mood swings, morning sickness, back pain, tender ligaments, and even skin irritation. These hormones can also play an important role in the oral health care of a pregnant woman, and it is advised to be particularly careful to address any oral health issues immediately.
During pregnancy, any kind of infection may cause severe consequences for both mother and child. It is always better to prevent than to cure, and that is the ultimate rule to follow before and during pregnancy.
Know Your Oral Health during Early Pregnancy
When you find out you’re pregnant, you should make an appointment with your dentist. It is a common saying that whatever physical problems you might have normally are likely to increase during pregnancy, so you should make sure you have good dental health.
Your dentist can give you feedback about your oral health after a thorough checkup, and if required, he or she can make a detailed plan for any action necessary during the pregnancy period. Any dental work is advised by experts to be scheduled during the second trimester.
Oral health care is a hygiene issue, and now is the time for you to give more effort to maintain that. Brushing twice a day, preferably after breakfast and dinner, flossing every night, and using mouth wash can lessen the possibility of pregnancy gingivitis, mouth ulcers, periodontitis, and pregnancy eculis.
What Should I Look Out for When I Am Pregnant?
You should look out for any pain in the mouth area. Any pain or bleeding is a sign that you should visit your dentist sooner rather than later.
Many pregnant women develop gingivitis, which causes the gums to swell and eventually bleed when you brush. Plaque should not be allowed to accumulate in your mouth. This can be prevented by taking 2 minutes in the morning and at night to brush your teeth and the back of your tongue as well.
Some women develop mouth ulcers during their monthly period, due to high levels of stress and consumption of food items like chocolate, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes, and wheat flour. Mouth sores can be spotted in any part of the mouth: inner lips and cheeks, tongue, gums, or palate.
Can My Oral Health Affect my Baby?
There are recent studies suggesting that gum disease caused by infection can induce early labor. The bacteria responsible for a gum infection can travel all the way down to the uterus and cause the delivery of a premature baby.
Any kind of tooth infection may require prescription drug use. If you are required to take any prescription drugs during pregnancy, it is always recommended to consult with the doctor first. Consultation with your dentist prior to taking any drugs is important, as a drug with tetracycline is considered harmful for the fetus’s developing teeth.
Poor oral health can affect your baby, so make sure to keep up good dental habits!