Dental Health and Pregnancy

premier • January 27, 2020

During pregnancy, your hormonal levels change dramatically. How does that affect your dental health? Since you are not eating for one, whatever you consume has a direct effect on the baby. If you don’t consume enough calcium, it doesn’t only affect your baby’s development but also your own health. Our teeth need a healthy daily calcium intake to protect themselves against outside elements like acid or bacteria. During pregnancy, many women find their teeth decaying faster than normal because they don’t have a balanced diet or take good care of their dental health.

What Happens To Your Teeth During Pregnancy

  • During the first few months of pregnancy, consistent morning sickness results in a higher than usual acidic content in the mouth, eroding your enamel layer. Enamel is the protective layer that blocks outsider elements from affecting your teeth.
  • While the fetus is developing, calcium is taken from the mother’s body. As a result, if the mother doesn’t increase her calcium intake accordingly, she ends up having a calcium deficiency. This results in weakened teeth.
  • Due to the frequent hormonal changes, women often experience pregnancy gingivitis – a type of gum disease caused by unbalanced hormones. Common symptoms include bleeding or swelling of the gums.
  • Pregnant women sometimes crave various foods, which can affect their teeth.

Oral Care During Pregnancy

Work with your dentist as soon as you discover your pregnancy to come up with a plan to take care of your teeth. Your dentist will plan a proper calcium diet to help you cope with calcium loss during pregnancy. Women who experience morning sickness should not brush their teeth immediately after on the false assumption that doing so will get rid of gastric acid. The acid from the stomach weakens and sensitizes the enamel layer. Brushing your teeth immediately after might damage this layer. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and wait an hour or two before brushing.

If you are looking for more information on dental health care during pregnancy, South Holston Dental can help! We provide a variety of services including general dentistry, dental health education, and more. If you are interested in making an appointment, contact us online here. You can also call us at (276) 466-9800 for immediate scheduling. Make a plan to keep you and your baby healthy by taking care of your teeth!

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