Pregnant Moms | Healthscreenings

Dental Tips for Pregnant Women

The Big Picture

During pregnancy, some of the most important things a woman can do to follow advice from her primary health care provider and to pay attention to her health. The American Academy of Periodontology has found that women with oral health issues have an increased risk of having premature and low-birth weight babies. The most important things a pregnant woman can do is to floss and brush daily and to see a dentist for a check-up.

Oral Care for Mothers Expecting

It can be common for expecting mothers to experience bleeding and sore gums but it is lessened/prevented through daily flossing and brushing. A toothbrush simply can’t reach all the places between your teeth. Dental floss can do a much better job of removing food between your teeth. If it’s not removed, it can cause gum disease and cavities. Pregnant women have shown to be at a higher risk of gum disease due to increase levels of the hormone progesterone.
Make sure to visit your dentist because you may have cavities or gum disease that needs to be treated.

When visiting the dentist:

Most dentists prefer not to do x-rays during the first trimester but it can be uncomfortable to lie in a chair during the third trimester.
Best time to visit is during the second trimester.

How Can My Mouth Affect My Baby?

The American Academy of Periodontology has discovered that unfilled cavities come with germs and these cavity-causing germs could be passed to the baby once he/she has arrived.

Ways to pass bacteria to babies include but are not limited to:

Kissing
Sharing utensils
Letting the baby stick their fingers in your mouth
Sharing food and more

Prevention is key so you do not have to deal with the skyrocketing bills of dental care for the baby and the cost of pre-mature and low birth weights of your new born.

What About My Diet?

It is important, too! To avoid cavities, it is recommended that an expecting mother avoid snacking on: