Dental Health: How To Maintain Things While Pregnant

It's only natural to take extra steps to maintain your health when pregnant. You will probably pay more attention to what you eat, see your doctor as directed, and take prenatal vitamins. Being pregnant can mean your entire body is affected and that includes your teeth. Read on to find out how pregnancy can put an extra strain on your dental health and how to deal with that.

Protect Your Tooth Enamel

The effect of stomach acid on your teeth should be considered. Morning sickness is a common and almost inevitable side-effect of being pregnant for many, especially in the first few months. However, the enamel covering your teeth and protecting them can be vulnerable to stomach acid. When that acid encounters your teeth, it can erode the enamel and make your teeth more likely to decay.

In addition, acids resulting from morning sickness can also make teeth feel more sensitive and painful. Speak to your doctor for some tips on dealing with morning sickness. Also, see your dentist more often if you are experiencing morning sickness. That will allow your dentist to catch cavities while they are still small. They can also help you cope with this issue using special toothpaste and by changing your eating habits.

Avoid the Scourge of Gum Disease

You might not think that pregnancy could affect your gums, but it does. Pregnancy produces hormones that can cause an inflammatory response in your gums (and elsewhere). The result can be as minor as irritated and swollen gums or as major as an abscess.

If you notice any of these issues, call your dentist right away:

• Painful gums
• Swelling or bleeding gums
• Burning or tingling in the gums area.
• A pocket of pus in the gums (abscess)

Your dentist can treat mild cases of gum diseases like gingivitis by scheduling more frequent cleanings and exams. However, some pregnant dental patients may need to be seen by a periodontist. Treatment is important for both your health and that of your baby. Having inflamed gums could produce a hormone that could cause pre-term labor. Don't put yourself or your baby at risk by ignoring gum disease symptoms.

Pregnancy and Dental X-rays

Dental X-rays are generally considered safe during pregnancy because they don't come anywhere near the baby. In many cases, the potential for harm from a dental X-ray is extremely low. Speak to your dentist to find out more about maintaining your dental health during pregnancy.