What Effect Does Pregnancy Have On Dental Care?

It is essential to keep consulting your dentist since hormones from pregnancy and morning sickness can impact dental health. 

While worrying about your unborn child’s well-being is understandable, postponing your visit or treating dental pain can be harmful. Visiting the Greenbelt general dentist while pregnant is completely safe.

What effect does pregnancy have on dental care?

Due to changing hormone levels, you are at greater risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay while pregnant. Prenatal dental care is critical because your oral health is related to your general health and the well-being of your unborn child. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy benefits the overall health of both you and your pregnant child.

• Tooth decay and morning sickness

The natural enamel on your teeth gets destroyed by stomach acid while you vomit. Because of that, you might develop sensitive teeth or cavities when pregnant. Every pregnancy is different.

Your dentist can establish if morning sickness is an issue if you have dental issues. It is generally advised not to brush your teeth for 30 minutes after vomiting. Your tooth enamel will have plenty of time to recover from contact with stomach acid with the help of your saliva in this manner.

• Gingivitis and hormonal changes

Especially in the second trimester, pregnancy hormones can increase the likelihood of developing gingivitis or early gum disease. You are not alone if you have bleeding, swollen, or aching gums. 

Gingivitis affects about 40% of pregnant women. Additionally, if you suffered from gum disease before becoming pregnant, you might find that your symptoms are getting worse. 

Hormone changes that increase the blood circulation to your gums during pregnancy cause gingivitis. Meanwhile, these hormones can affect the ability of your body to fight dental plaque. 

It is essential to keep consulting your dentist since you are prone to develop gum disease. They can help you minimize the adverse effects of pregnancy gingivitis to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Tips for Healthy Pregnancy and Dental Care

If you believe you might be pregnant or planning to get pregnant, inform your dentist. Additional care will be taken when you see the dentist to provide safety for you and your unborn child. For example, if you are going through a high-risk pregnancy, your dentist might postpone some dental procedures. 

Although dental exams and cleaning are harmless at any time during pregnancy, you should avoid significant procedures in the first three months. 

However, if there is a risk of infection caused by an abscessed tooth or other oral health issue, your dentist may recommend immediate dental treatment.

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Devin Hardy

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