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Pregnant Women and Good Oral Hygiene

Whether you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, congratulations! You’ve decided to bring another life into the world and that’s a wonderful, if at times somewhat overwhelming, responsibility you’ve elected to take on. Remember, though, that the health of your baby starts with your own good health, and good oral hygiene is even more important now.

While your body is going through a number of hormonal changes, your teeth and gums are also getting ready for the big event. Before you start trying to conceive, make sure to schedule a visit to your dentist to have any plaque buildup removed. Good oral hygiene is especially important during the first trimester of pregnancy, to prevent what’s known as pregnancy gingivitis. During pregnancy, excess plaque can make your gums susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis, causing them to become swollen and puffy. Eliminating any plaque that may have built up since your last cleaning can give your gums a healthy start, so that you will be able to minimize your risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis or any other serious oral health issue during pregnancy.

Now it may seem like just plain common sense, but it’s also important to remember not to expose you and your baby to dental x-rays during pregnancy. Even with the major technological advances in x-ray safety over the past 30 years, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Plus, while you probably didn’t plan on having a dental procedure during pregnancy, it’s sometimes unavoidable. If you have to have a dental procedure at any time during your pregnancy, try to avoid it during the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. At these times, your baby’s growth and development are at critical stages and exposing the mother to prescription drugs such as painkillers and antibiotics – especially ones like tetracycline (used in the treatment of periodontal disease and other infections) – can adversely affect the development of the child’s teeth and bones.

As we all know, too, morning sickness is a dreaded but often unavoidable companion that accompanies you throughout your first trimester. So whether you’re dealing with bouts of morning sickness, you’ve eaten something that didn’t agree with you, or you were yet another victim of the winter flu season, remember to brush after you vomit. It is, of course, a revolting thought, but brushing your teeth after throwing up not only freshens your mouth so you don’t have that twice-chewed taste, it reduces the amount of acid that can lead to tooth decay. By taking just a few simple precautions that you may ordinarily take for granted, and by taking good oral hygiene seriously every day, you can have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

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