Dental care is essential for every age group, and therefore, doctors suggest going for professional dental checkups twice a year. However, here the question arises: what is different that you have to do during your pregnancy to take care of your dental health? In your prenatal period, you must take care of your dental health as the hormonal changes can affect your oral health.
So, if you are someone looking for dental care tips during pregnancy, then you are at the right place. In this article, we will discuss some of the important tips that you must follow during pregnancy. If you are in Ottawa, then you can consult an Ottawa dentist to know more about dental habits and how you can take care of them during your pregnancy.
What are Important Tips for Dental Care During Pregnancy?
Dental care should not be avoided at any stage; however, when you are pregnant, you have to focus on your overall health, and somewhere else, health is ignored. But, this could be a major mistake as it can affect your oral health at a later stage. So, you can follow some of the following tips to ensure that you take care of your oral health during pregnancy.
Inform Your Dentist About Your Pregnancy
You must inform your dentist about your pregnancy as it will give them time to evaluate your oral health and see if any procedures should be done at the early stages rather than waiting for later. It is also important to note that a dental checkup before pregnancy is also very important as it can give your dentist room to cure the problems as soon as possible. There can be emergency tests later, but the early tests would be beneficial for you. Once you know that you are pregnant, dental checkups must be done in the first three months of the pregnancy.
Maintain the Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is a must! You cannot ignore this hygiene at any stage of life. There must be some at-home oral hygiene tips, such as brushing and flossing regularly. This is because expecting mothers are more susceptible to cavities and other dental issues. Therefore, you have to take proper care of your dental health by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and using soft-bristled brushes to avoid damage to your enamel. Additionally, you must keep yourself hydrated and rinse your mouth with mouthwash. It is important because you must not have any dry mouth issues, or else it can lead to the formation of bacteria and gum diseases.
Hormonal Changes Can Affect Your Oral Health
During pregnancy, women undergo various hormonal and physical changes. Some hormonal changes might affect your health, and some can also have a negative effect on your oral health. Certain hormones lead to the loosening of oral tissues and affect them temporarily. This loosening of tissues makes you feel that your teeth are weak. Some other hormonal changes can lead to sensitivity of your gums. Pregnant women are more susceptible to cavities as the stomach acid is brought up to the mouth, and it erodes the enamel. So, you have to take care of your oral health, more specifically during your pregnancy period.
Pay Attention to Your Gums During Pregnancy
You should monitor your gums during your pregnancy because many women develop pregnancy gingivitis during pregnancy. So, your gums can become swollen and tender and bleed easily. Thus, take care of your gums and make them stronger by keeping them clean. You can take suggestions from your dentists about how to take care of your gums during pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to several issues, and therefore, you should take care of it as soon as possible.
Take Help From Professional Dental Care
You must take care of your dental health with the help of a professional dentist. Regular checkups are important for your oral health. It will help you save from infections and other types of diseases. There can be general dental work like cavity fillings, crowns, and other such things that can be done during pregnancy, too, so, if required, you can go for such treatments and prevent your dental health.
So, these are certain tips that you must follow to ensure that you take care of your dental health effectively.
