What should be considered for dental health during pregnancy?

Due to the rising and changing hormones during pregnancy, some women may experience problems such as tooth and gum disease.

Brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste and visiting your dentist will help keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible during pregnancy.

gingivitis

According to research, severe gum disease in pregnant women causes a high rate of miscarriage and premature birth. Babies born prematurely are at high risk for problems such as brain damage, vision and hearing.

It has been suggested that 18 out of 100 preterm births may be associated with severe gingivitis (periodontitis). Gum disease can be treated by a dentist during pregnancy. In addition to emergency procedures, gum treatment can be performed after the first trimester.

Vomiting can damage teeth

Pregnancy hormones soften the ring of muscle that holds food in the stomach. For this reason, heartburn or nausea and vomiting, which are common during pregnancy, can expose your teeth to strong stomach acids. Acids can damage the tooth surface (enamel) and increase the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, our pregnant patients may consider the following recommendations.

1- Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting. When teeth are covered in stomach acid, brushing motions can scratch the enamel.

2- Wait an hour after vomiting to brush your teeth.

3- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with drinking water.

4- Gargle with a mouthwash 1 hour after vomiting. If you don’t have a mouthwash, put a toothpaste on your finger and rub it over your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Gagging while brushing your teeth

Many pregnant women experience gagging, especially when brushing their back molars. However, brushing times are reduced and brushing is interrupted. Prevent or minimize gagging;

1- You can choose small and soft brushes designed for children, and continue brushing with slow and circular movements without rushing.

2- It helps you close your eyes and focus on your breathing while brushing.

3- If you are bothered by the taste and smell of the paste, you can choose a different brand or you can brush with water a few times and then use mouthwash.

4- I also advise you to listen to the music, which is the food of the soul, while brushing your teeth. In this way, I can say that you don’t have to worry about your worries, such as gagging, and you can continue brushing your teeth more comfortably.

In this most valuable and important process for mothers, nutritious meals can increase as appetites increase. Desire to eat sugary foods, nights out without meals do not prevent us from protecting our oral health. Therefore, we should never forget to brush our teeth.