Pregnancy oral health
What is the relationship between pregnancy and dental health?
Dental care is particularly necessary for women during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.
Pregnant women are susceptible to a variety of oral health issues that can be damaging to their personal health as well as the health of their future baby. Being pregnant also increases your chances of developing oral health issues, which might have an impact on your pregnancy.
What oral changes does a pregnant woman have to expect during pregnancy?
Here are some changes that happen to women during pregnancy which might affect their oral health:
1- During pregnancy, women have higher amounts of various hormones in her body, such as progesterone and estrogen, which might raise your chances of developing oral health issues.
2- Eating habits could change, pregnant women tend to consume some foods in greater quantities than before, which can have an impact on your oral health.
3- Pregnant women may clean and floss their teeth less frequently than before becoming pregnant.
4- Pregnancy hormone changes might make gums more tender and more susceptible to plaque, resulting in irritation and bleeding.
Brushing and flossing may cause nausea in some pregnant women.
What are the oral conditions that might develop in pregnant women?
1- Cavities (tooth decay or caries).
Dental caries might be caused by the increased acidity in the mouth, which is caused by sugary snacks and drinks due to cravings and decreased attention to oral health.
2- Gingivitis.
Because of the increased inflammatory response to dental plaque during pregnancy due to hormonal effects. Women who have gingivitis before pregnancy are more susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis.
3- Tooth mobility.
Ligaments and bone might loosen during pregnancy, which play an important role in tooth support.
4- Tooth erosion.
Tooth erosion might be caused by the increased exposure to gastric acids due to vomiting caused by morning sickness, gastric reflux, and other reasons.
How to maintain healthy teeth during pregnancy?
It is essential for women to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy when pregnant. Good dental hygiene is the most effective strategy to prevent or treat gum disease.
It’s important to see the dentist so that they may thoroughly clean your teeth and show you how to maintain them clean at home.
Here are some tips that might help you maintain healthy teeth during pregnancy:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss once a day to remove little particles of food from between your teeth and help prevent plaque buildup.
- Sugary beverages (such as fizzy drinks or sweet tea) and sugary meals should be limited to mealtimes.
- Snack on vegetables, fresh fruit, or plain yogurt if you’re hungry between meals, and avoid sugary or acidic items.
- Quit smoking, as it might aggravate gum disease.
References:
