Dental Health During Pregnancy

Dental hygiene is generally important for good health but even more important during pregnancy. In some cases, pregnancy increases the risk of certain dental health problems, increasing the chances of health complications. If you see any signs of tooth decay or infection, you can refer to providers of quality dental services, such as Yorkshire Dental Suite (http://yorkshiredentalsuite.co.uk/.)

What Is Oral Health, and Can It Affect Pregnancy?

Dental health or oral health is a term used to address issues related to the health of your mouth, including teeth and gums. It is an important part of your overall health, and those pregnant need to take special care in this regard. Dental care is an essential part of a person’s prenatal care.

Being pregnant can cause many oral health problems and can affect your pregnancy. One of the risks posed by bad dental health is premature birth. Hence, taking care of your dental hygiene is important for ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Dental Health?

Pregnancy introduces changes in your body, especially changes that can affect your teeth and gums. Here are some of the ways these changes can impact the health of your mouth:

Pregnancy leads to increased levels of hormones like progesterone and estrogen. These can risk certain oral health problems.

During pregnancy, you have different eating habits and may eat certain foods more that can affect dental health, like sweets and ice creams. You may consume more of these sugar-laden foods than before, which can cause tooth decay if you don’t take proper care.
Your gums feel more tender than usual, and during pregnancy, most mothers feel tired than usual. This change may cause a pregnant person to brush and floss teeth less than before.

Problems Pregnant Mothers Face Due to Changes in Routine and Eating Habits

Cavities

These are damaged areas on the surface of your teeth. Pregnant women are more likely to have cavities. You can pass the bacteria in your cavities to your baby during and after birth, eventually impacting your baby’s teeth later in life.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. If your gums look swollen and red, they might be affected by gingivitis. It would be best if you treated it as soon as possible; otherwise, you might face more serious gum diseases. It is found that even pregnancy hormones can increase your risk for gingivitis.

Pregnancy Tumours

Don’t worry. Pregnancy tumours are not cancerous. These tumours are lumps that form on the gums, usually between teeth, and can go away with time. Pregnancy tumours look red, and they bleed easily; that is why it is important to get them checked by a dentist.

Tooth Erosion

If morning sickness and vomiting are very common during pregnancy during the first few months, your teeth may be exposed to stomach acid. The acid can harm the enamel of your teeth.

Don’t Delay Going to the Dentist

It would be best if you went for regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy to prevent these dental diseases. These yearly checkups are important so your dentist can treat such problems early. Regular teeth checkups help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If there are some medicines prescribed, get them approved by your doctor before taking them.