When pregnant, it’s only natural to care for your body well. You want to ensure that your baby is born safe and sound! That said, remember to include your mouth in this care process. Pregnancy affects oral health in several negative ways, raising your risk of dental problems. Luckily, your Allen dentist will help out with some crucial details. Here’s a summary of how pregnancy could affect your mouth, including how to protect oral health while pregnant.
How Could Pregnancy Affect Your Mouth?
Your “bun in the oven” may harm your mouth if you aren’t careful. In particular, you might develop issues like:
Tooth Decay
As you may know, tooth decay is the erosion of your enamel. It often occurs due to plaque buildup from poor dental care. However, the issue can also stem from your pregnancy.
You see, being pregnant can wear down your teeth. Cravings may lead you to eat more carbs, fueling the bacteria that cause cavities. Your morning sickness could also increase your mouth’s acidity. From there, you’d suffer damage to the top layer of your teeth.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease, with symptoms like red, swollen, and inflamed gums. It’s thus easy to think that diet or hygiene are its only causes. In reality, though, pregnancy is also a risk factor.
The reason comes down to hormones. As it turns out, hormonal changes during pregnancy can aggravate your gums. The pink tissue may then overreact to plaque and get inflamed. Left unchecked, they’ll then suffer periodontitis.
Pregnancy “Tumors”
Not all mouth lumps point to oral cancer. In fact, some are “pregnancy” tumors – large bumps with deep red pinpoint markings. They can occur when you’re pregnant and form on inflamed gum tissue.
As with the gingivitis risk, pregnancy tumors stem from one’s hormones. They’re inflammatory reactions to gum irritation, which itself comes from hormonal changes. On the bright side, they usually fade after the baby’s birth.
Caring for Oral Health While Pregnant
Given the above, you should care for your oral health while pregnant. Great ways to do so include the following:
- Stick to Good Oral Hygiene – Don’t skip proper dental care when pregnant. Instead, always brush twice daily and floss once daily. Also, rinse with salt water as needed.
- Follow a Mouth-Healthy Diet – Have less sugar while pregnant, as this carb is a big cause of tooth decay. Eat lean proteins, leafy greens, and dairy products as an alternative.
- See Your Dentist Often – During your pregnancy, continue to see your dentist for checkups.
Ultimately, pregnancy affects oral health in harmful ways. Compensate for this reality by using the tips and tricks above!
About the Practice
Sprout Dentistry for Kids is based in McKinney, TX. Led by Drs. Chan and Yoo, our practice provides quality dental care for kids of all ages. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options, as well as emergency oral services. Our team is even equipped to serve children with special needs upon request. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (469)-813-7127.