August 1, 2023

Protecting Your Smile: Dental Care Before and During Pregnancy

Taking excellent care of oral health during pregnancy would be best. Pregnancy brings in hormonal changes that make you vulnerable to developing gum disease, which can also affect the well-being of your growing baby. This article provides tips to help you maintain oral health in optimal condition before, during, and after pregnancy. Kindly read for more information.

Dental Care Before Pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, it helps if you schedule a dental appointment with a dentist near me. The meeting with the dentist helps to get your teeth professionally cleaned and your gum tissue thoroughly examined by the dental professional. You can also receive treatments for oral health problems, if any, before your pregnancy.

Tips for a Comfortable Dental Visit during Pregnancy

Inform your dentist about your pregnancy for comfortable dental visits during an exciting moment. You can receive routine dental care at all stages of the pregnancy. If you need urgent procedures, the dentist can perform them as well. However, you must postpone all elective procedures until after the baby arrives. Before scheduling your dental appointment, you can confirm with your obstetrician for advice on special precautions or instructions. During your meeting with the dentist in Frisco, provide them the names and dosages of all medications you are taking, including prenatal vitamins and any specific advice your obstetrician provides. The Frisco dentist may alter your dental treatment based on the provided information. Dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy because the Frisco dentist exercises extreme caution to safeguard you and your baby. They will shield your abdomen and thyroid and use the latest technology that has made X-rays safer than earlier. Your pregnancy should not encourage you to skip appointments for dental exams and cleanings in Frisco, TX. On the contrary, your routine appointments are essential because hormonal changes are caused by pregnancy to increase your risk of periodontal disease called pregnancy gingivitis. In addition, if you have gum disease before pregnancy, becoming pregnant can worsen your situation. You must follow excellent dental hygiene practices to prevent oral health problems. Besides brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing once, and using an antibacterial mouth rinse, you must also visit your dentist for dental prophylaxis without skipping the meetings because you are pregnant.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene during Pregnancy: Tips and Recommendations

If you find it challenging to brush your teeth because of morning sickness, you can discuss the situation with the Frisco dentist or hygienist. They will suggest you use bland toothpaste during your pregnancy. If suffering from morning sickness and have frequent bouts of vomiting, rinse your mouth with water and consider brushing your teeth 30 minutes later. You must avoid sugary snacks because sweet cravings are standard during pregnancy. You must remember that snacking frequently increases the chances of developing tooth decay. Having a nutritious and balanced diet is essential. Your baby starts acquiring their first teeth during the first quarter of pregnancy. Therefore a healthy diet with products like cheese and yogurt is a vital source of minerals beneficial for the baby’s developing teeth and bones.

The Link Between Maternal Oral Health and Baby’s Well-Being

Significant research has revealed an association exists between gum disease and premature birth. Results publicized in the Journal of the American Dental Association noted that pregnant women with chronic periodontal disease were more likely to deliver prematurely with low-birth babies than pregnant women with healthy gums. The study also notes that pregnant women with severe periodontal disease delivered prematurely at 32 weeks. However, no information is available on whether treatment for the condition can use the risk of preterm birth. Occasionally you may experience pregnancy tumors during the second trimester, although they can occur at any stage of the pregnancy. However, pregnancy tumors are not concerning the result of an inflammatory reaction to a localized irritation. Pregnancy tumors disappear by themselves after the baby’s birth. Unfortunately, if the tumor inhibits you from eating, the Frisco dentist can remove it under local anesthesia. However, the chances of the tumor redeveloping remain even after removing it during pregnancy.

Dental Care after Pregnancy

You must schedule an appointment with the Frisco dentist if you experience problems with your gums during pregnancy soon after the baby’s birth for a comprehensive exam of your mouth and oral health teeth. Using the tips for dental care before and during pregnancy suggested in this article to protect your smile, you can enjoy better oral health and a beautiful smile. If you are contemplating pregnancy, do not assume you can neglect dental care. Instead, schedule a consultation with Regina Y Powe, DDS, to learn how to protect your smile before and during pregnancy. The meeting will help you enjoy a beautiful smile by safeguarding it against hormonal changes in your body to make you susceptible to dental infections.