Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is vital to keep your body as healthy as possible. The goal of optimal wellness should include your teeth. Sticking to a comprehensive dental routine keeps your teeth as healthy as possible during your pregnancy.

1. Maintain regular dental appointments

It is perfectly safe and even advisable for pregnant women to get routine dental cleanings during their pregnancy. Some women find that hormone changes during pregnancy puts them at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum irritation. Maintaining regular dental visits helps keep pregnancy-related dental issues in check.

Dental x-rays should be used as little as possible. If you need an x-ray due to a dental emergency, it is perfectly fine to get one so that your dentist (such as Struk Oleh Allan Dr) can treat your teeth. Routine x-rays used to monitor the teeth should be left until after pregnancy.

2. Try to schedule necessary procedures during the second trimester

During the first trimester, many women experience nausea and fatigue that makes spending an extended amount of time in a dental chair feel unbearable. By the third trimester, a large tummy makes it uncomfortable for women to spend a long period lying on their back. The second trimester is just right; women can still recline comfortably, and most have experienced a significant reduction in nausea.

3. Don't undergo elective procedures

Medical professionals agree that necessary dental work should be performed during pregnancy to keep both mom and baby healthy. Unnecessary procedures, such as teeth whitening or cosmetic dental implants, are best saved for after pregnancy. Forgoing elective procedures also minimizes exposure to x-rays and medication.

4. Minimize unnecessary stress

If you are concerned that a procedure or medication is harmful for your baby, consult with your obstetrician. Your doctor can let you know what is safe and what should be avoided for your and your baby's health.

At your dental appointments, do not hesitate to use pillows, a blanket, or soothing music to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Minimizing stress helps keep promote wellness for mother and baby.

5. Experiment with different products

During the first trimester, flavored toothpaste can exasperate troublesome nausea. Alternative flavors, particularly those that are bland, may be less likely to induce queasiness.

For some women, the toothbrush itself can bring a bout of nausea. A toothbrush that fits on the finger is less intrusive and may be more comfortable.

Instead of traditional dental floss, floss sticks or implements may be preferable to reduce gagging.

Regular dental care is an important component of any woman's prenatal care. Women should never forgo a visit to the dentist simply because they are pregnancy. Though pregnancy-related conditions can make certain aspects of your dental care tricky, making simple changes helps you keep a shining smile.