Some women may suffer dental problems during pregnancy, including tooth decay and gum disease. During pregnancy, the hormonal changes affect the way your body responds to bacteria in your mouth and plaque. Being pregnant does not automatically mean that you will suffer teeth damage, but there are cases where the hormonal changes and poor oral hygiene affects a woman’s teeth and gums. In addition to this, if the mother’s calcium levels are inadequate during pregnancy, the bones and teeth may provide the necessary calcium for the baby. In this article, you will learn what you have to do during pregnancy to maintain a good oral health.

Dental health pre-pregnancy

It is crucial to have a good oral hygiene before pregnancy because it lowers the chances of having dental problems during pregnancy. Suggested healthy oral hygiene habits:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Floss at least once a day
  • Rinse with mouthwash
  • Visit your dentist regularly
  If you plan on getting pregnant, you should do some dental check-ups with your dentist before. During pregnancy, there are a lot of dental procedures that should be avoided because it could put the life of your future baby in danger. It is better to undergo dental procedures before you conceive.
  Your dentist should know you are pregnant

Your dental health can suffer changes during pregnancy, and you could experience problems such as:

• Gum problems
  • Cravings for sugary foods
  • Vomiting
  • Bleeding while brushing teeth
  When you go to the dentist, you should tell them if you are pregnant. It is crucial for your dental specialist to be aware of this, because certain procedures, such as X-rays, will be put off until after delivery.
  Gum problems
  Your gums are likely to suffer the most damage during pregnancy.

The hormones level rise during pregnancy and could cause gum problems, like:

• Gingivitis, which is liable to manifest daring the second trimester. If your gums are swollen and bleed easily when you brush and floss, you should go to the dentist and tell them your problems.
  • Periodontal disease, which is a gum infection which evolves from gingivitis. This condition is extremely dangerous because it can lead to tooth loss.
  • Pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy epulis, which is a localized enlargement of the gum tissue.
  Tell your dentist about the gum problems you might have and maintain your daily dental cleaning routine.

Vomiting damages your teeth

The pregnancy hormones weaken the stomach muscle that keeps the food inside. As a result, you may suffer from Gastric reflux and vomiting, which can erode the strong coating of your teeth (called the enamel). This increases your risk of suffering of dental decay. You should avoid brushing your teeth right after vomiting, but you can rinse with plain water. Use fluoridated mouthwash and brush your teeth one hour after vomiting.
For more information about pregnancy and dental care, you should contact your dentist. Visit your dentist before, during and after your pregnancy to maintain and possibly improve the health of your teeth and gums.