Why Dental Care in Pregnancy is Important?

A look as to why it’s important to maintain good dental care during pregnancy, and tips on how to do it.

Being pregnant is one of the most exciting experiences a woman can go through. It can also be one of the most stressful.

There are changes to the body, and all of the health aspects that need to be looked after. A pregnant woman needs to watch everything to protect her body and the health of her unborn child. Dental care in pregnancy is also vitally important. However, it can be neglected because of the other things that a woman has to remember during this time.

Dental Care in Pregnancy is vitally important for several reasons. First of all, many are unaware that the increased levels of hormones experienced during pregnancy can affect your oral health. If the woman had dental problems before being pregnant then the increased level of hormones could make them worse.

Another reason to maintain good dental care in pregnancy is a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Gingivitis usually means the person suffers from red, swollen and even painful gums. It is also quite common for these gums to bleed when they are brushed. It is most common in pregnant women during the first trimester. However, pregnancy gingivitis can occur anytime from the second to the eighth month of pregnancy. This is caused in part from the increased hormone levels. It can also be worse in women who have had a history of gingivitis before pregnancy.

Periodontitis disease is the next stage of gingivitis. This is much more serious and can cause permanent damage. One can also become quite facially disfigured if the disease is left to long. Periodontitis disease is serious and can be very painful. It can be even more of a risk for pregnant women. Studies show that women with periodontitis disease tend to have more incidences of low birth weight when the have children. The reasons for this are not quite known but it is more evidence in support of maintaining good dental care in pregnancy.

Keeping your oral health in good shape, during pregnancy is just as important as keeping the body healthy. Fortunately, much of what is good for the body is good for your oral health.

Keeping a healthy eating regime can help both aspects of your pregnancy health.

Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will not only benefit your health, and the health of your unborn child, it will also help to keep your teeth clean and white. Foods like lemons, cranberries, strawberries, mangoes, papayas, and oranges are packed full of vitamin C and contain natural cleansers for your teeth. Stay away from fruit juices unless they are freshly squeezed or from concentrate. Other versions are packed full of sugars and do your teeth no good at all.

Getting plenty of Vitamin D is good for both aspects as well. Vitamin D helps build connective tissue. This is very effective in treating gingivitis and periodontitis disease. You can get Vitamin D from a variety of sources. Eating plenty of cheese and dairy products is one way. The other is to make sure you get at least 15-20 minutes of sun exposure each day.

Good oral hygiene is essential no mater how good your diet is. Make sure you are brushing your teeth regularly, between all meals and snacks. There are several natural brands of toothpaste available that are healthy and do just as good of a job.

Make sure you floss your teeth as well. Flossing gets in between teeth to remove those bits of food that the eye cannot see. Again, there are several natural dental flosses available that clean the teeth and don’t harm the planet.

Use extra caution when you are choosing a mouthwash. Being pregnant you will likely want to avoid the ones with high amounts of alcohol. Choose an anti-microbial mouthwash to keep the bacteria count low. This will prevent plaque from building up, staining and cavities.

Brush or scrape the tongue daily. This can help remove bacteria before it gets to the teeth.

Finally, consider using an oscillating or rotating toothbrush over the standard types. These remove a much larger quantity of plaque. They clean the teeth more thoroughly and get in deeper than the traditional toothbrushes.

Dental care in pregnancy is vitally important to you and your unborn child. To avoid the unpleasantness of pregnancy gingivitis or the more serious possibilities of periodontitis disease, it is essential that good oral care is maintained. By brushing regularly and maintaining a healthy eating regime, both the health of the body, baby and mouth will benefit. Keeping on top of everything while pregnant isn’t as hard as many think. Much of what is good for one is good for the other.