Why You Need to Keep Up with Dental Hygiene During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you spend a lot of time at doctor appointments to check up on the baby’s health and your own. It may be tempting to skip over seemingly less important appointments like seeing your Brooklyn dentist. However, keeping up with your dental hygiene is more important than ever during pregnancy. Why? While your body is busy creating a new life, you’re more vulnerable to a range of concerning dental and oral conditions, including:

Pregnancy Gingivitis: It’s common for people to develop pregnancy gingivitis during the first trimester. You may notice that your gums are bleeding, swollen, red, or tender. This irritation is caused by hormonal changes that increase blood flow to your gums and make them more sensitive.

Increased Plaque Build-Up: While pregnancy itself doesn’t cause plaque, it’s easier for plaque to build up on your teeth and along your gum line during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes. Talk to your dentist to learn what extra preventative measures you should take to protect your oral health; your previous habits may not be sufficient, especially if you already had gingivitis or another condition.

Tooth Enamel Erosion: Morning sickness is troublesome for a variety of reasons, but one problem many people don’t consider is the effect all that stomach acid has on your teeth. When your teeth are frequently exposed to stomach acid, the enamel weakens, and you become more vulnerable to decay.

How to Protect Your Oral Health

First and foremost, always tell your dentist and the rest of the dental staff when you are pregnant. They need to know to better assess your needs, plus they may need to adjust certain treatments. Next, keep going to your regular check-ups and cleanings. Be sure to brush, floss, and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse daily. Finally, when you’re suffering from morning sickness, rinse your mouth with baking soda mixed with water to neutralize the stomach acid.