Pregnancy comes with a whole set of changes and expectations for your body. Watching what you eat, what you do, and where you go may become more important than it was before, but this is true for more than just restaurant and travel plans. While it may be the last thing on your mind, taking care of your teeth through your pregnancy is extremely important.
Just like the rest of your body, your mouth may through changes during pregnancy, and you should know how to take care of it. Your teeth and gums can be affected by morning sickness and hormone changes, so keeping up a strict regimen of brushing and flossing can help keep your mouth healthy.
Because hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the way your gums react to plaque, you may experience elevated sensitivity during this time. Plaque may cause your gums to become irritated, inflamed, and sore due to plaque. Pregnancy may also increase the amount of bacteria in your mouth, making brushing and flossing just that much more important.
If you suffer from morning sickness, brushing after every bought of sickness can be tedious. But, getting acid and harmful material off your teeth is absolutely necessary to their health. Acid wears away at the enamel on your teeth, essentially breaking the protective barrier around them and leaving them vulnerable to decay. After an episode of morning sickness, try to rinse your mouth with water. Then, when possible, brush your teeth using a mild toothpaste that won’t trigger another episode.
If you become pregnant, don’t forget to consult with Dr. Steven J. Brazis, the dentist, about your dental health. Call Steven J. Brazis, DDS at 916-731-5151 for a visit at our Sacramento, California, office.
