Dental Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an extremely transformative time in a woman’s life, one that’s filled with exciting new changes and challenges. Amidst the preparations you take for your little one’s arrival, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of maintaining good oral health. Dental care during pregnancy is essential for both a mother’s and a baby’s health.

Let’s explore a few considerations you should keep in mind when it comes to your oral health during your pregnancy.

Regular Dental Visits During Pregnancy

According to the Centers for Disease Control, pregnant women are encouraged to participate in regular dental visits, as both routine and emergency dental care are considered safe throughout pregnancy. In fact, it’s important to see a dentist during this time in a patient’s life, because pregnancy can lead to changes in one’s oral health. For example, pregnant patients may develop pregnancy-related gingivitis, oral gingival lesions, periodontitis, tooth mobility, and tooth erosion. Because these changes can be serious, it’s wise to have them addressed by a dental professional.

However, when visiting a dentist during pregnancy, it’s important for patients to inform their providers, being that X-rays are often a normal part of a dental exam. By letting the dental team know that a patient is pregnant, special care can be taken to avoid unnecessary X-ray exposure.

In addition, if a dentist is aware that a patient is pregnant, he or she can take precautions when it comes to administering or prescribing dental medications. This way, the entire team can pursue the safest possible dental processes for pregnant patients by choosing only pregnancy-safe medications.

At-Home Care Tips

As an expecting parent, it’s important to follow a dedicated oral health routine at home in addition to seeing a dentist regularly. To take proper care of your teeth during pregnancy, try the following:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and dedicate a full 2 minutes to each brushing
• Use a brush with soft bristles to avoid gum irritation
• Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste
• Floss your teeth at least once per day

If you have been dealing with morning sickness, use an alcohol-free mouthwash to clean your mouth after vomiting. Avoid brushing your teeth right after getting sick, as it may damage the surfaces of your teeth.

Tender or bleeding gums are not uncommon during pregnancy, but if the issue persists, reach out to your dental care team for advice.

If you’re pregnant and you’d like to have your oral health evaluated, give us a call at Signature Dentistry of Arvada. Schedule an appointment with our front office staff and we’ll provide you with exceptional dental care.