By Dr. Amanda Tavoularis at Dentably
Learn the importance of what it means to have good dental health during pregnancy.
During your pregnancy there are sure to be countless things on your mind and on your to do list.
Of those things, make sure that keeping up with your oral health is one of them.
Many women let the state of their oral health lax during their pregnancy, and this can cause serious issues down the road.
As a dentist with over 20 years of experience, I’ve worked with countless women to help keep them on track in their dental habits. I’ve also worked to help educate women on why dental health is important during and before their pregnancy and what issues can arise if you do not keep up with it.
Why is Dental Health Important?
Oral health is so important as it has a measurable effect on your overall body health.
It has also been linked to some serious issues during your pregnancy.
For example, gum disease has been shown to cause premature births, making it even more serious for pregnant women.
Issues like this are why it’s so important for pregnant women to keep up with their dental health.
Ignoring it can lead to serious complications that no woman wants to go through.
How To Keep Up With My Dental Health?
The best and easiest way to keep up with your dental health is to simply keep up with your normal routine of brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash.
This can sometimes be difficult with things like morning sickness, but it’s important to stick with it.
Preventative care is the most effective way to keep your mouth healthy.
You also want to make sure that you’re visiting your dentist as scheduled.
Hormone levels during pregnancy can actually make you more susceptible to things like gum disease even if you’re taking good care at home.
A dentist can help you determine this, and take steps to see that it doesn’t get worse. They’ll also provide a deep cleaning which further goes to the preventative care mentioned above.
Visiting The Dentist While Pregnant?
As mentioned above, it’s not only okay to visit the dentist while pregnant but wholly encouraged.
They can help catch and deal with any issues that might arise.
A big question is whether it is okay to have actual dental procedures done during your pregnancy and, for the most part, the answer is yes.
The majority of dental procedures are perfectly safe for pregnant women, and even things like anesthetics or medications are safe in many cases.
If your dentist recommends treatment, let them know about your pregnancy. This will help them make sure you get the proper care, as well as gauge whether doing the procedure during your pregnancy is the right choice.
Depending on the severity you may be instructed to wait out the pregnancy, or go and get the work done immediately.
The Importance Of Dental Health
Dental health is important to keep up with during your pregnancy.
Not taking care of your mouth is a recipe for disaster, and can lead to serious complications during your pregnancy.
Luckily, it’s easy to keep your mouth healthy, and following the tips above you can keep your mouth in good shape for your entire pregnancy.
Related: The good, the bad, and the ugly of Pregnancy
Related: How to Know if You’re Pregnant before taking a Test
Related: The Best and Worst Baby Products according to Moms
