Pregnant Patients Need to See Their Dentist in Wayland!

Being pregnant is a great experience for many people, but it can be challenging on the body—even your mouth. That’s right, being pregnant could affect your oral health. So much so that your dentist in Wayland will consider you a high-risk patient during your pregnancy. Learn more about how to care for your smile properly while conceiving and why it’s so important to meet with your dentist regularly.

Pregnancy Can Affect Gum Health

The hormonal changes affect every part of a woman’s body—even their mouth. The hormonal roller coaster that’s caused by pregnancy can change the way your gums react to normal plaque in your mouth, causing your gums to become swollen, red, and sensitive.

Research has also shown that pregnancy can increase the amount of bacteria present in your mouth. It’s critical to maintain a great dental care hygiene routine of brushing and flossing every day while pregnant. If you notice these symptoms at any stage of your pregnancy, you should seek treatment for potential gum disease:

• Swollen, sensitive gums
• Tender, red gums
• Extremely loose teeth
• Receding gums
• Pockets of infection along your gum line
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Buildup of pus between gums
• Chronic bad breath

Oral Health and Morning Sickness

Everyone knows that every pregnancy experience is different. Some woman experience more difficult symptoms than others, like intense headaches or even morning sickness.

If you suffer from morning sickness, brushing your teeth can seem like a nearly impossible task. The smell of toothpaste may make you feel sick and your gag reflex may increase. Even with those factors affecting you, it’s still important to keep your oral health up to par.

If you can, try to get a more mild-smelling toothpaste that may allow you to brush your teeth without upsetting your stomach. At the very least, brush using water and baking soda. Avoiding brushing altogether will just deteriorate your teeth and gums faster than needed.

Another threat that comes with morning sickness is the acid that attacks your teeth. When vomiting, acid from your digestive system ends up in your mouth and on your teeth. If not removed, it can erode the protective layer of your teeth and quickly escalate to tooth decay. Whenever you have a morning sickness episode, rinse your mouth out with water right away. This will remove and neutralize the majority of the acid, then brush your teeth just about 30 minutes later to optimize your oral health.

Caring for Your Teeth While Carrying a Baby

If you’re planning on being pregnant, it’s best to visit your dentist for helpful advice. Not only will they help you optimize your dental health, reducing your risk of complications during your pregnancy, but your Wayland dentist will help you maintain better oral health throughout every term.

About Our Office

Here at Wayland Dental, your gentle dentist is able to treat all patients—especially if you’re at high-risk from another medical condition. We offer our latest, state-of-the-art dental care to each of our patients, optimizing their oral health in the most convenient, comfortable way possible. Learn more by contacting us today!