Expecting Dental Problems: Caring For Your Teeth While Pregnant

Expecting a baby can be an exiting and busy time, and it's easy to put off routine procedures and tasks like dental care. Neglecting this important facet of self-care could be a huge mistake, however, when you consider that just being pregnant puts you at a higher risk for developing certain dental issues. Here are some common dental issues that can pop up during pregnancy and how to ensure that your teeth and mouth stay as healthy as possible.

Gingivitis and Periodontitus

Hormones rage during pregnancy, and one in particular can wreck havoc on your gums. Progesterone can make your gums more vulnerable to gingivitis, which can first show up as a bit of bleeding when you brush, often accompanied by swollen gums. Gingivitis can progress quickly to a more serious dental problem called periodontitus. This disease  that can put your baby at risk, since having it can increase the changes of giving birth pre-term and giving birth to a low weight baby. Periodontal disease can cause an over production of prostaglandins, hormones that regulate uterine contractions. The remedy for this scary possibility is regular dental cleaning and a more advanced cleaning method called scaling, if necessary.

Granulomas

These little red bumps are fortunately harmless, unlike periodontal disease. They are also caused by hormones and can be removed if they are interfering with eating, but they will go away on their own after you give birth.

Damaged Enamel

One of the side effects of early pregnancy is morning sickness, and an unfortunate side effect of morning sickness could be damaging to your tooth enamel. Keep an eye out for sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and foods and see your dentist for regular check ups. It's vital to catch cracks and cavities early to prevent further damage. While this aftereffect is not likely to be permanent, you could be more vulnerable to breakage while your teeth are less protected.

Alert Your Dentist

Let your dentist know right away about your pregnancy when you go in for an appointment. You should still be able to get dental X-rays, but some dentists prefer to err on the safe side and put them off until after you give birth. Any dental procedures that require anesthesia should be postponed until after the baby is born. Additionally, stay away from certain drugs, such as the antibiotic tetracycline, which can damage your baby's teeth.

This is not the time to neglect your dental health. Discuss your dental care more in-depth with a dentist like Belgrade Dental Associates

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