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What are the Best Ways To Look After my Oral Health, as a Pregnant Mum?Looking After Your Oral Health- Teeth and Gums
Whilst it is a good idea to maintain good oral health at all times, it is particularly so during your pregnancy. Healthy teeth and gums can make a big difference to your pregnancy. Your oral hygeine requires more maintenance and care during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes in your body, and any forms of gum or oral disease can affect your unborn baby. Further, your gums become more susceptible to problems during pregnancy, like gingivitis. This is as a result of plaque deposits being more ‘damaging’ to gums that are not well looked after initially. However, when you are looking after your oral health, you need not expect any problems. It is also beneficial to reduce your sugar and acid intake, to help you become accustomed to a healthier diet, for both yourself, and which will affect your baby later on through your breast milk, if breast feeding. If your pregnancy is planned, it is a good idea to have a thorough check up prior to conception, where you can have x-rays taken, a full clean, and an over all check up. If fillings are required, it’s good to get them out of the way as well. It’s also beneficial to visit your dentist more frequently during pregnancy, to monitor, and clean any plaque deposits, to maintain your oral health. It has also been found that women who suffer from gingivitis and periodontitis may have more premature births. Hence, it is again, a good idea to be regularly checked for good oral health.
The best ways to maintain your gums and teeth is to brush and floss regularly, to reduce the likelihood of swollen, red, and bleeding gums. It’s also a good idea not to rush your brushing. It is normal for your body to have many more hormones than in your un-pregnant state, as the four types of hormones that you have in greater quantity during pregnancy are vital to assist the pregnancy to continue. Remembering that it is the plaque that can cause gum problem, by brushing and flossing well, you will reduce the likely hood of problems. If you have had gum problems prior to pregnancy, it is even more important to regularly visit your dentist, as problems can be exacerbated during pregnancy. In summary, the outlook is very good, and you can have every reason to feel confident you will be OK as long as you regularly brush, and floss. It is a good idea to brush for at least three minutes at a time, after breakfast, and after dinner. With care, you’ll find you can have a clear oral bill of health.
I have included a link to an oral health and dental tips website for pregnant women.
It is important to make sure that you are flossing and brushing correctly, and the link above is a link to a site for help in this area.
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