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How Does Pregnancy Affect Oral Health?
Pregnancy can affect oral health in a variety of ways, including:
- Morning sickness exposes teeth to strong stomach acid, which can weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
- During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, and these can increase the risk of problems like gum disease. A condition called pregnancy gingivitis can develop, but if a woman already has gum disease, this can worsen.
- Food cravings are frequent during pregnancy, and frequent snacking can put teeth at risk as the snacks feed harmful bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.
- Feeling more tired can affect oral health routines, so it becomes tempting to skip nighttime brushing and flossing.
How Can Poor Oral Health Affect a Baby?
Poor oral health is closely linked to overall health, largely due to the bacterial levels in the mouth. If you have poor oral health, excessive bacterial growth can cause gum disease or pregnancy gingivitis, where your gums start to bleed and become increasingly fragile.
Bleeding gums allow these bacteria to enter your bloodstream, and there is a risk that they can travel to your uterus, potentially causing a preterm birth. This problem can also lead to having a low birthweight baby.
After your baby is born, there is a risk that you can pass any harmful bacteria onto them directly simply by kissing them or licking a pacifier before you return it to them. If you have more bacteria in your mouth due to poor oral health, then greater numbers will be passed onto your baby, increasing the risk of developing dental problems in the future.
What to Do If You Are Pregnant or Are Considering Having a Baby
If you are considering starting a family or are already pregnant, we recommend scheduling a dental checkup and hygiene appointment here at NYC Dentistry Center as soon as possible. Ideally, we like to see someone before they become pregnant, so if there are any more serious dental issues, we can provide suitable treatment before pregnancy. However, we realize this isn’t always possible.
Ensuring You and Your Unborn Baby Remain Safe during Dental Visits
When you visit our dentist, please inform us if you are pregnant or may be pregnant so that we can provide the appropriate treatment. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are perfectly safe throughout pregnancy.
What If I Need Dental Treatment During Pregnancy?
If you have any pain or infection in your mouth, it is better to get it treated right away before it can harm your baby.
We can ensure that any dental care is provided at an appropriate time. For example, the second trimester is considered the safest time for necessary dental treatments, such as dental fillings.
However, it can be more harmful to leave a dental problem untreated than to provide appropriate care.
If you need any dental X-rays, the lead apron will protect you and your baby. You can rest assured we will only take an X-ray if absolutely necessary. Modern digital dental X-rays emit extremely low levels of radiation, making them very safe.
Local anaesthetics for dental treatment can be safely given during pregnancy. If you require additional medication for dental care during pregnancy, we will only prescribe something safe for use.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups and Hygiene Appointments During Pregnancy
We strongly recommend continuing to have dental checkups and hygiene appointments throughout your pregnancy. If you have any signs of pregnancy gingivitis, we may suggest you have more frequent dental cleanings than normal.
This is because we can remove all plaque and tartar buildup during your hygiene appointment, eliminating large numbers of harmful bacteria that cause pregnancy gingivitis. Removing these substances will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums more easily.
Oral Hygiene Tips during Pregnancy
Below are some oral hygiene tips to follow during your pregnancy, but we can provide more personalized information and care when you visit us.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily using a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Choose a mild-flavored toothbrush if you have morning sickness, and we can provide some suggestions for a suitable brand.
- Floss daily.
- If you experience morning sickness, pack a travel dental kit including toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a bottle of water to freshen up afterward. It’s also nice to have a small bottle of mouthwash on hand.
- After being sick, rinse your mouth with plain water or make a mouth rinse using a little baking soda dissolved in water, which will help neutralize strong stomach acids.
- Wait at least half an hour before you brush your teeth as the acid softens your tooth enamel. Brushing too soon will damage your enamel, while waiting allows it to re-harden.
- If you need to snack between meals, try to choose foods that are calcium-rich and high in protein but are low in sugar or sugar-free. Good choices include plain yogurt, cheese, crackers, and fresh fruits and veggies. We can provide more recommendations during your dental checkups.
Routine dental care is perfectly safe during pregnancy, and you can rest assured that we will not provide any treatment that could harm your unborn baby.
When you visit us, we can provide helpful advice tailored to coping with any issues specific to your pregnancy, and we are always here to answer any questions.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264