Oral Health and Pregnancy

Regardless of whether this is your first baby or you’re onto two or more, your nutrient levels and the impact of growing a beautiful baby may be of concern for you, especially when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Here at Hawthorn East Dental, we provide sound advice relating to your oral health and pregnancy.

Most importantly, always tell your dentist if you are pregnant.

There’s plenty of advice out there in terms of knowing what you can eat and cannot eat. Add to that, tiredness, morning sickness and your demands of daily life and it’s easy to overlook good nutrition to support yourself through this exciting time.

Teeth require Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Phosporus and Calcium rich foods and so ensuring  you get adequate amounts of those vitamins will assist in keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Morning Sickness and your Teeth

If morning sickness is an issue for you, and we know this varies per pregnancy, then you may find acid levels in your mouth are higher which may create problems for your teeth. After vomiting, rinse your mouth with water. Ensure you drink plenty of water as this also assists with saliva production.

Dry mouth can also be a problem for some women. Given that saliva is made of approximately 99% water, it’s important to drink water to assist with the production of saliva.

Pregnancy Epulis / Pregnancy Tumor

Pregnancy Epulis occurs commonly in the third trimester and is prevalent in pregnant females. There are usually no other symptoms that occur aside from the appearance of the lesion. It’s important to book in with an experienced dentist such as Hawthorn East Dental for examination and to find out if any action is required.

Gingivitis During Pregnancy

Much like foot growth or swelling when pregnant, hormone levels vary which can contribute to a swelling of the gums and bleeding. Your gums be become more sensitive and irritable. Periodontal infections can result from your body’s inability to respond normally to bacteria due to those hormonal changes.

Taking Care of your Dental Health When Pregnant

Those women that already have good dental health prior to pregnancy are less likely to experience dental problems.

If you think you have a dental problem, book in with one of our dentists for a consultation and we can then formulate a dental plan to ensure your teeth and gums are in top condition throughout this special time in your life.

Generally, to avoid dental issues when pregnant we recommend:

• That you don’t brush your teeth too hard.
• Be aware of sugary cravings and find a healthy alternative
• Follow your oral maintenance plan and visit your dentist to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy

Don’t forget to see your dentist once your new addition has arrived into the world. It won’t be long before you will be bringing them in to your visits with us here at Hawthorn East Dental.