Periodontal Disease Article

Extra Dental Care Is Needed during Pregnancy

As any pregnant woman will tell you, pregnancy certainly does take its toll on your body. Few women realize just how bad it can be, until they find themselves pregnant. Sure, you hear about morning sickness, heartburn, and fatigue, but did you know that you are at more risk for dental problems during pregnancy, particularly gum disease? Of course, it is all blamed on hormones, which may be the case, but if you haven’t always taken care of your teeth or seen the dentist as you should, you definitely want to rectify that before you get pregnant if you can, or take extra care to see the dentist and care for your teeth during your pregnancy. Gum disease if left untreated can cause all kinds of problems, and even cause you to lose your teeth, so it is not something to take for granted.

Basically, there are times in your life when you will be at an increased risk for developing gum disease, and pregnancy is one of those times, but in the end, it all boils down to dental care. If you allow plaque and bacteria to sit in your mouth, on your teeth, and between your gums, then you will likely at some point end up with gum disease. To prevent gum disease, brush your teeth correctly at least twice a day, floss, and see your dentist regularly, especially during pregnancy, when you are at an increased risk.

There is another reason that you should make certain you care for your teeth and gums during pregnancy, one that may be enough to push you to do it, even if the thought of losing your teeth wasn’t enough to do it. Some researches have proven a link between gum disease and poor dental hygiene with premature labor and extremely low birth- weights. Meaning, that if you don’t care for your dental health as well as your physical health both before and during pregnancy, you could be putting your unborn child’s health at risk! Is it really worth it? It only takes a few extra minutes a day to really care for your teeth as you should, and maybe an hour or so every six months to see the dentist, is that too much to ask of you Mom?

When you decide you are ready to have a family, or find out that you are pregnant, after you schedule your OB appointment, you should immediately schedule a dental appointment as well. Make certain that you alert your dentist to the fact that you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and how far along you are. Your dentist will also need to know what medications that you may be taking and will then do a complete exam, to see what dental care if any you need. It may be a simple cleaning, or you may require antibiotics if you already are showing some of the signs of gingivitis, it all depends on you. Your dentist will make certain that no procedures or medications are given that could potentially harm your baby.

Another way to prevent gum disease during pregnancy is to make certain that you eat a healthy diet, and stay away from sweet, sugary foods as much as possible. Your baby doesn’t need all that extra sugar, and your teeth and gums don’t either.

No matter how bad your pregnancy may be taking it’s toll on the way you feel, don’t neglect your dental health, it is important for you and your baby!