If you are pregnant, there are many things that you are likely doing in order to protect and improve your health. One part of the body that is important to care for while pregnant that most people will not think about is the mouth. That is why we have cultivated a list of dental tips for pregnant women. Continue reading to learn some excellent dental tips for pregnant women and why having good oral hygiene is important for women while pregnant.
Why Is It Important To Have Proper Oral Hygiene When Pregnant
It is important to practice good oral hygiene when pregnant for many reasons. Firstly, pregnancy can cause some women to become more prone to gum disease and cavities. Pregnancy also makes a woman’s hormones change, therefore making the teeth more likely to become infected. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to poor health later for both the mother and the baby. Following are several things that pregnant women can do in order to protect their oral health when pregnant.
Dental Tips For Pregnant Women
#1: Floss And Brush Your Teeth Regularly
The first mistake that many people make during any part of life is forgetting or neglecting to floss and brush their teeth. Forgetting to brush your teeth and floss can lead to a myriad of problems including swollen gums, periodontitis, and other problems. This becomes even more of a problem when pregnant women neglect to keep their teeth clean. Any sort of illness can be much worse for a pregnant woman and can be harmful to the baby. Floss once a day and brush morning and night to avoid these types of problems.
#2: Be Mindful About What You Eat
One of the most important dental tips for pregnant women, which is also important for their overall health is to be mindful about which foods they are consuming. Limiting sugar is one of the best things that you can do for your oral health when pregnant. Because your body is already more likely to get cavities when pregnant, you do not need more sugar to make it more sensitive. Consider the idea, of “everything in moderation” when consuming food and pregnant.
#3: Take Your Vitamins
Another important part of protecting your overall health when pregnant is making sure that you are getting the proper vitamins in your system. Pre-natal vitamins are not only good for you and your baby but are great for strengthening your teeth because of their calcium content. Your body can become calcium-deficient when you’re pregnant, so make sure to take vitamins, and you’ll be good to go!
#4: Visit The Dentist Regularly
Some women become nervous about going to the dentist when pregnant due to the rumors that it can hurt the baby. While it is true that pregnant women should not be given certain medications or anesthetics, visiting the dentist for a dental cleaning is no more dangerous when pregnant than otherwise. However, women may want to avoid a check-up during the first trimester when morning sickness is bad and the third trimester if they are having back issues.
Do You A Great Dentist?
If you are looking for dental services to help you improve your smile or maintain your oral health, we at Hendersonville Family Dental would be more than happy to be of service. We offer comprehensive dental options from restorative dental care to cosmetic dentistry to good old-fashioned general dental services. If you have any questions about oral health during pregnancy or are looking to find a new dentist that can take care of all your needs, feel free to reach out to us at Hendersonville Family Dental today.