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Apr 01, 2024
Pregnancy is the time to celebrate your first step into motherhood. It is common to get bombarded with advice on managing your health and eating a balanced diet. It is a good thing to listen to your doctor and follow what suits your body. Besides focusing on staying fit and happy, you need to keep a check on your dental health. Many women suffer from oral health problems during this period because of changing hormones that increase the risk of plaque.
If plaque develops into cavities and gum disease, it can impact the health of the baby. It has been found that pregnant women who suffer from periodontitis can give birth to premature or underweight babies. Let us help you understand oral health during pregnancy and ways of keeping mom and baby healthy. It is vital for expecting mothers to learn how to keep their mouths and babies healthy.
1. Pregnancy and Dental Health
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes in the body that make your teeth vulnerable to cavities and increase the chances of gingivitis. Exhaustion and nausea can also contribute to a dirty mouth. Many mothers-to-be suffer from bleeding gums due to this change. If it is left unchecked, it can turn into periodontitis, which can cause bone loss in most severe cases.
Another dental problem that can surface during this period is pregnancy epulis, a small red growth on the gum that can bleed. In addition, excessive bacteria in the mother’s mouth can enter the bloodstream from the gums and reach the uterus, resulting in premature birth. The bacteria can also be passed on to the babies from mothers and affect the newborn’s gums and primary teeth.
2. Maintaining Oral Health During Pregnancy
Expecting mothers must be extra cautious about their dental health because of the increased risk of cavities and gum problems. They must brush twice a day and floss once, without making any exceptions to this rule. They should also visit their professional dentist in Hope Island to get their teeth checked for any hidden problems.
They must inform the practitioner about pregnancy and the medicines they are taking before undergoing any treatment. It is safe to get a dental x-ray or use a numbing agent on teeth if required. It is vital to maintain optimum hygiene, even if the gums are inflamed, with the help of an ultra-soft toothbrush. Quit smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, as they affect the baby’s health. Speak to your dentist about these issues and find solutions with their help.
3. Impact of Vomiting on Oral Health
Most women experience morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy. The reason behind this is the hormonal changes that make it hard to keep food in the stomach. Frequent vomiting affects oral health because of the acids that come in contact with teeth. Gastric reflux can damage tooth enamel and increase the probability of developing cavities.
Dentists in Hope Island suggest rinsing the mouth after vomiting with a fluoride-based mouthwash instead of brushing, which can cause tooth erosion. They also advise applying fluoride toothpaste on teeth and rinse with plain water. Moms-to-be can chew sugar-free gum to reduce the impact of acids and should brush after an hour of throwing up.
4. Preventing Gagging While Brushing
Since nausea is a common problem during the first trimester and in the second trimester for some women, gagging while brushing is normal. However, it becomes a problem because it prevents expecting moms from cleaning their back teeth and leads to cavities. Thus, they must use a small brush (baby toothbrush) with soft bristles to clean the teeth slowly.
Avoid rushing through the process, and be gentle with the cleaning part to prevent gagging. To distract yourself, stop looking into the mirror and focus on something more important. If you want to relax your mind, listen to music or watch TV. If you feel the toothpaste is causing nausea, ask your dentist for a substitute.
5. Avoid Junk Food Cravings During Pregnancy
Food cravings during pregnancy can become problematic if you are consuming junk and sweet foods and drinks. Excessive sugar intake is bad for the teeth and overall health. It can affect the baby by increasing foetal weight, creating labour problems.
If you crave savouries and sugary foods, opt for sweet fruits and rinse your mouth with water after eating them. Hope Island dentists suggest eating rich foods with natural sweetness, like Greek yoghurt and nuts. In addition, eating small, healthy meals throughout the day can help keep the cravings at bay.
6. Foods to Eat For Healthy Mom and Baby
Pregnant women must increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D for the healthy development of the baby. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and vitamin D aids in this process. Thus, meals must include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese and almonds.
Vegans can consume calcium through almond milk, calcium-fortified soy, broccoli, and baked beans. Vitamin D can be absorbed by the body naturally through sun exposure. Foods that contain the vitamin include eggs, cereals, breads, salmon, mackerel, etc. A balanced diet ensures optimum health for the mom and baby.
Wrapping Up
Pregnant women must maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. They must care for their teeth more to prevent cavities and problems caused by gagging and vomiting. Visiting your dentist in Hope Island is essential to know the status of your oral health and maintain it optimally.
