Pregnancy is a special time in any woman’s life, with many things to plan for and many details to take care of. But in all the excitement of pregnancy and childbirth a woman should be sure take care of their dental health and that of their babies.
Happily, most routine treatment is perfectly safe during pregnancy. During the first trimester, however some procedures and medications should be avoided. It is important that you are sure your Smiles Nambour dentist knows you are pregnant.
Here are 4 important strategies, courtesy of Smiles Nambour:
- Keep your teeth and gums healthy. Gum disease can cause low birth weight or premature birth. Unhealthy gums can also allow build up of decay-causing bacteria and transmission to your baby, which can lead to early childhood tooth decay.
- Avoid or treat vomiting and acid reflux that may accompany pregnancy. Pregnant women who experience morning sickness are at a higher risk of tooth erosion.
- Watch for signs of gum disease related to pregnancy and if they appear, quickly get them treated.
- Put down the tobacco! This is not really news to anyone, but you should stop using all tobacco products. Tobacco products not only affect pregnant women, but also their unborn children. According to a study by the American Lung Association, tobacco use doubles the likelihood of periodontitis!
There are several ways to minimise this risk, including rinsing your mouth with water or mouth rinse, chewing sugar free gum, smearing a bit of toothpaste over your teeth, and waiting 30 minutes before brushing after vomiting.
Signs of gum disease include bad breath, swollen gums, red gums (instead of pink), and bleeding gums.
At Smiles Nambour, we provide top-quality dental for pregnant women, their families, and their friends! Our first-rate care and dental equipment can help you and those you care about keep beautiful, healthy smiles.
Same Day Appointment Available, Request it Now! Call us today on (07) 5240 9410 or book your appointment online.
