Here’s How Pregnancy Can Affect Your Oral Health

Are you expecting? Congratulations! Leading up to your due date, your head might be overloaded with to-dos, all while dealing with endless doctors’ appointments, morning sickness, and fatigue. Although you certainly have enough on your plate, there is one more thing you need to worry about: your smile. After all, expecting mothers are vulnerable to numerous oral health concerns during their pregnancy. To learn what they are (and how you can protect your smile), read on!

How Pregnancy Can Affect Mom's Smile

Moms-to-be are often the first to notice changes to their body – from their growing belly to their swollen feet. However, not all changes are that obvious. For example, the increase in hormones during pregnancy can make your gums swollen, puffy, and irritated from a form of gingivitis. Additionally, the combination of morning sickness and an inconsistent oral hygiene routine can significantly increase your chances of developing tooth decay. Fortunately, oral health problems like these are largely preventable with the right best practices in place.

5 Ways to Protect Your Smile While Expecting

As previously mentioned, concerns like gum disease and tooth decay are largely preventable. Here are a few things you can do throughout your pregnancy to help keep your oral health in pristine condition:

#1: Implement a solid oral hygiene routine

Fatigue can make it difficult to brush and floss consistently. However, it’s of the utmost importance that you do! If needed, you can keep your oral hygiene tools by your nightstand so there’s no excuse.

#2: If you’ve been ill, don’t brush right away

After you’ve been ill, the best thing to do is rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Once 20 minutes have passed, you can brush.

#3: Eat plenty of vitamin-rich foods

Whether your cravings are sweet, salty, or a mixture of the two, it’s important to fill your plate with plenty of nutrient-dense foods as well. Apples, broccoli, and the like can help keep your teeth and gums healthy from the inside out.

#4: Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning

At your biannual visits, your dentist screens for gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, and so much more. Plus, the cleaning portion removes plaque and tartar that have built up over the last 6+ months, reducing your chances of developing oral health concerns in the future.

#5: Avoid unhealthy dental habits

From chewing on ice to biting your nails, unhealthy habits can wreak havoc on your teeth and increase your chances of experiencing a dental emergency. So, do your best to avoid them entirely!

There’s no denying that pregnancy impacts your oral health. Fortunately, keeping your smile happy and healthy is largely in your control, and your dentist is always there to help you as well!