There’s a lot to think about when you’re pregnant – hormone changes, growth, nutrition, exercise and more. In amongst the many messages of what to do, it’s important to remember to maintain your good oral health in the lead up to and throughout pregnancy. Good oral health will ensure your body’s response to plaque build-up is effective and that you and your baby are able to receive adequate nutrition, including calcium.
Dental problems during pregnancy, such as gum disease and tooth decay, are less likely if your pre-pregnancy oral health is good.
We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing between teeth and visiting a dental health professional for check-ups.
Some pregnant women suffer bouts of vomiting which may have a detrimental effect on dental health if not managed. A few tips for oral health protection from Victoria Government’s BetterHealth website include:
* don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting
* rinse your mouth out well to dilute or remove the stomach acid which can soften the enamel on teeth
* follow the water rinse with fluoridated mouthwash – this need not be a premixed solution, it can be as simple as mixing a small dab of toothpaste into water and rinsing through your mouth before spitting out
* brush your teeth at least an hour after vomiting.
If you’d like to know more about how to maintain good oral health throughout pregnancy please call and make an appointment with our dental health professionals.
Reference sites
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-teeth
https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week-2016/Women-and-Oral-Health/Pregnancy
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/Pages/resources-pre-natal.aspx
https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Children-0-11/Pregnancy