Babies! Oh those tiny little bundles of joy are such a promise of joy and delight. But as you’ve probably read, being pregnant, although truly a miracle, can be rather tough on your body. Toothbrush Confidential has done the digging and below we’ve provided you a step by step oral health plan that will take you throughout your pregnancy.
It’s Baby Making Time! Off to… the dentist?
You’ve decided now is the time to start your family. Things are working themselves out and you know now is the time. Before you get pregnant, is the perfect time to see your dentist for a good cleaning and to check for any decay. Have x-rays taken now to check between teeth and under old fillings. Hormonal changes while pregnant can increase the risk of gum disease and there is correlation between gum disease and low birth weight.
If you have cosmetic dental work that you would like to have, prior to pregnancy is a good idea or set that as a goal for your post delivery treat to yourself. There is nothing like a great smile makeover to prevent postpartum blues. But plan it out now. Work with your dentist to create a plan of action based on what you want. Insurance approvals for major work is generally valid for one year so the dental team can pre-authorize all the treatment and be ready for you when the baby is born.
Congratulations you’re Pregnant!
Some dental procedures should be avoided during the first trimester. Talk to your dentist about your pregnancy because at this time certain dental work may affect the baby’s development. Do not skip your check up however, hormones can play havoc with gums. Look for increase in bleeding gums when pregnant. Extra bacteria may affect the health of your baby. This is a good reason to increase the frequency of your visits with the hygienist! Flossing for two!
Share all your medicines, prenatal vitamins and dosages with your dental team. Your dentist may need to revise your oral health plan based on your condition. For instance, tetracycline, if taken while pregnant may affect the development of your child’s teeth.
Avoiding X-rays while pregnant is pretty much common sense. If you do have a dental emergency and must have an x-ray, your dentist will take the utmost precaution with lead aprons. If absolutely necessary, the third trimester is the least dangerous time.
It’s not all beautiful – the Ins and Outs of Morning Sickness
Many woman experience morning sickness while pregnant. To combat it we suggest ginger tea to settle your stomach or aroma therapy of peppermint essential oil. Also switching to a mild toothpaste may help avoid nausea. If you do vomit, make certain to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and baking soda. Unfortunately the acid in vomit can weaken the enamel. Baking soda will neutralize the acid.
Oral Health = Overall Health
As you’ve probably heard over and over again, whatever you eat, your baby eats, so choose healthy options. Since your child’s teeth are developing around the third month of your pregnancy, eating calcium rich foods are an excellent idea. Low fat yogurt and cheeses are an excellent source of calcium. For vegetarians, add calcium to your diet through green veggies and nuts. You can get your entire days’ worth of calcium from just a few servings of certain high-calcium greens and nuts such as: soybean (edamame), okra, spinach, almonds, kelp, broccoli, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, celery.
If your sweet cravings are powerful, we suggest brushing your teeth immediately after eating sweets? As mentioned above, gum disease may be accelerated during pregnancy.
Congratulations You’re a Mommy!
Once you have given birth and regained your strength, book an appointment for a checkup. Your dentist will want to review your mouth to make certain those pregnancy hormones haven’t created damage on your oral heath. Oh and bring baby photos, or even bring the baby in to be admired. We always enjoy babies in the office.
