Your mouth may not feel like your first priority when you are pregnant, but it’s essential to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy often impact upon gum health – you may notice that your gums are particularly sensitive or swollen and you may experience more bleeding than usual when caring for your teeth. Keeping up with a normal routine of thorough brushing and interdental cleaning and ensuring that you use a fluoride-based toothpaste will certainly help to reduce any problems.
if you experience morning sickness, it’s important to rinse your mouth with plain water after vomiting to stop the acid from the vomit attacking your teeth. Try not to brush your teeth immediately as acidity weakens enamel and brushing too soon may well result in tooth wear or sensitivity.
Try to stick to your normal diet and avoid any cravings, particularly if they include either sweet or acidic foods and drinks.
You may find that you retch when brushing your teeth, particularly when reaching back to your molars. If this is the case, try switching to a brush with a small head and slowing down the brushing action.
It is important to see your dentist to check your mouth during pregnancy and although nearly all treatments can be carried out if needed, your dentist will often try to defer any non-essential treatments until after your pregnancy.
As ever, if there’s anything you’d like to know or find out about relating to pregnancy and oral health, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Coppice View.
Mike
