During pregnancy, you’ll face hormone changes which can affect many different things. From swollen feet to an aversion to your favorite foods, a lot of the changes you face are often explained as being “just because you’re pregnant.” When it comes to your oral health, however, it’s important not to overlook these issues. To keep your body and mouth healthy during pregnancy and avoid the risk of gum disease or infection, here are some things to keep in mind:
Morning Sickness & Oral Health
Morning sickness during pregnancy can expose your teeth to stomach acid and weaken the surface of your teeth by demineralizing. This puts you at a high risk of tooth decay and erosion of your teeth. If you experience vomiting in the morning, these are 3 steps you can follow to protect your oral health:
- Rinse your mouth with water (even better: add a tsp or baking soda or calcium carbonate to neutralize the oral ph) immediately after.
- After rinsing your mouth, wait for at least 60 mins to further reduce the acid in your mouth.
- Give your teeth a good brushing.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating healthy is vital for your oral health, your overall health and the health of your baby! To keep your teeth strong and healthy during your pregnancy it’s important to limit your consumption of foods and beverages that contain a high amount of sugar. Make sure the food you eat includes enough:
- Protein
- Calcium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Phosphorus
During pregnancy, you have different nutrient needs. Calcium is very important for you and your baby’s bones and teeth. If your eating pattern is low in calcium, your body will take it from your own bones and blood to supply the baby. If you have low blood calcium you will also have low calcium in your saliva, which can cause demineralization of your tooth enamel. Make sure to incorporate enough calcium-rich foods into your diet so that your body has enough to supply both you and your growing baby.
Opting for healthier snacks between meals can help you meet your daily nutritional needs. Try to avoid soft, sweet and sticky snacks that are high in sugar or carbs.
Health Risks
Maintaining good oral health can prevent a number of risks to you and your baby. Pregnant mothers with poor oral health can have a risk of developing periodontitis which is an infection of the bone holding the teeth in place. This kind of infection has been associated with unfortunate pregnancy outcomes such as delivering a pre-term baby or delivering a baby with a low birth weight.
The changing of hormones can affect your gums by making them more sensitive and prone to bleeding, even if you have good oral hygiene. Pregnancy gingivitis can occur anytime between the third and ninth month of pregnancy and will make your gums swollen, red and irritated from bacteria along the gum line.
Talk To Your Dentist
When you schedule a checkup in your first trimester, make sure to communicate to your oral health professional that you are pregnant. If you’re in need of dental work such as fillings, the best time to get it done would be in the second trimester. We recommend avoiding X-rays while pregnant and only have them done in cases of emergency. Our professionals at Oceana Dental are here to chat if you have any questions!
About The Author
Dr. Jacqueline Gaudet
Chief Dental Officer - ASAP pathway comprehensive provider
Dr. Gaudet graduated as a doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) from the University of Montréal in 1998. Since then, she has spent thousands of hours on advanced training throughout Canada and around the world.
With experience, she has found that the “drill and fill” approach to dentistry does not make for long term success in dental and overall health. Her research and education has inspired her to take a global health approach to dental care using an evidence-based system to address the whole body.
“Many dental and oral health issues relate to lifestyle habits and/or underlying health issues,” she says. “The goal of Oceana Dental’s comprehensive new patient examination is to find the root cause of disease in the oral cavity so it doesn’t progress and cause more harm to the patient’s overall health.”
Commenting on the pace of technological improvement and the advances in research, she says, “it’s a great time to be a dentist!”
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