Can Pregnancy Affect Your Oral Health?
Are you or a loved one pregnant or thinking about adding to your family in the near future? You may be surprised to learn that pregnancy can negatively affect the state of your oral health. All of the hormones raging through your system not only affect your body but also your teeth and gums. It is extremely common for pregnant women to experience gum disease and an increase in dental decay. We know that it can be overwhelming when you are pregnant, dealing with doctor appointments, trying to rest, and preparing for your new bundle of joy, but we encourage you to continue to make your oral health a priority to avoid complications.
Before Pregnancy
- While there are some who do not plan for their pregnancies, there are many who do and know when they are going to start trying to conceive. If you are planning to become pregnant in the near future and have not had an oral hygiene examination and cleaning, we encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible. We can perform a thorough cleaning and examination to determine if you need any dental treatments. There are many treatments that are not recommended during pregnancy. We can also get a baseline for your teeth and gums to monitor for any changes during and immediately after pregnancy.
During Pregnancy
- It can be challenging if you experience morning sickness and vomit regularly. Even when you feel horrible, it is important to continue to brush and floss your teeth. You may not be eating foods you typically eat and drink, and your choices may be more harmful to your oral health. Frequent vomiting can lead to serious problems with your tooth enamel because acid can corrode the enamel. You can continue to visit our office for oral hygiene examination appointments during pregnancy.
After Pregnancy
- It can be overwhelming to adjust to life with a newborn, but it is important to continue to make your health a priority. Now is the time to schedule any treatments that may have needed to be postponed during pregnancy.
If you are in Kewaskum, WI or the surrounding area and need dental care, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
