Why Your Dental Health Needs to Change During Pregnancy

When thinking about and scheduling your prenatal checkups, your dentist probably isn’t the first doctor that comes to mind. It’s important to include him in your prenatal plans, however. Your body changes during pregnancy, and some of those changes affect your dental care needs. Here’s how.

So you’re pregnant and you’re absolutely glowing—when you’re not vomiting. Fortunately, this part of your pregnancy should pass. Until it does, the bile and stomach acid you expel can wreak havoc on your teeth and start to wear away your enamel. You also may have trouble brushing your teeth in the morning if the taste of your toothpaste starts to trigger your gag reflex. To help alleviate this, use a mildly flavored toothpaste and see your dentist. He can help protect your tooth enamel and keep your teeth clean if you’re struggling to do so.

Gingivitis is a dental condition in which tartar and bacteria find their way below your gum line. Once there, they cause your gums to become red and puffy. They will also bleed easily. When left unchecked, gingivitis eats away at your teeth and loosens them so they fall out. Bacteria in your gums can also enter your bloodstream, where it can travel anywhere in the body and create problems.

Pregnancy hormones often cause gingivitis, even in women who haven’t had issues before. Dietary changes, too, can increase your gingivitis risk. Pregnant women often crave sugar, and so do bacteria. When you feed your sugar cravings, you’re also feeding the germs in your mouth. Proper dental care throughout your pregnancy can help you deal with gingivitis before it becomes severe.

Pregnancy hormones can do some pretty weird things, including produce gum tumors. Although not cancerous or harmful, pregnancy tumors often bleed easily and may cause some discomfort. These red and raw-looking growths resemble raspberries and usually develop during the second trimester. They do go away on their own after delivery. If they bother you or cause discomfort, however, a dentist can safely remove them for you.

With so many doctors to see and preparations to make, it’s easy to shuffle your dentist to the back burner during your pregnancy. Resist the urge to do so, however. Proper dental care is important when you’re pregnant. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your little one when he or she arrives.