You’re expecting a child and have made all the preparations. You see your OBGYN on schedule, take your vitamins daily, and eat healthy. It seems you’re on the right path, but you’re forgetting about your teeth and gums!
Oral health during pregnancy is vital to your well-being and the safety of your unborn child. It’s true! Strong clinical evidence and studies now link gum disease to pregnancy complications, and pregnancy is a risk factor for gum disease. Keeping these things in mind, you realize that dental care during pregnancy is vital.
In this blog, we share:
- Oral Health Tips During Pregnancy
- Why It Matters: Regular Dental Care During Pregnancy
- At-Home Oral Hygiene for Your Pregnancy Health
- About Gum Disease and Its Complications
- Dental Emergencies During Pregnancy
- A Conversation with Your Dentist in Wilmington, DE
- Scheduling Your Next Checkup and Cleaning: Safe Dental Care During Pregnancy
Oral Health Tips During Pregnancy
Because your oral health, in some cases, is directly linked to your baby’s health and well-being, we recommend following the tips below:
- See your dentist every six months for checks and cleans.
- Let our dental team and your dentist know you’re expecting.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss no less than once.
- Contact our dental team if you notice oral health changes between visits.
We also strongly encourage you not to skip the prenatal vitamins your OBGYN prescribes. These vitamins provide the proper nutrients to your unborn child. They also keep tooth-healthy vitamins in place, including calcium and vitamin D, which can deplete during pregnancy.
Remember, a healthy mouth and excellent oral hygiene are crucial for a healthy pregnancy.
Why It Matters: Regular Dental Care During Pregnancy
Because we know that your healthy smile is linked to the health of your unborn child, we also realize that ongoing dental care is crucial for you both during this time.
Six-month checkups and dental cleanings in Wilmington, DE, help us significantly reduce gum disease risks (even though the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy increase your risk for developing this condition).
Dental cleanings remove debris that causes tooth decay, infections, and gum disease. Checkups help our dentist detect oral health conditions before they pose significant risks.
While visiting the dentist anytime during pregnancy is safe, many patients feel more comfortable or at ease in the dental chair during the second trimester. However, if you have a dental emergency, it’s vital to contact us as soon as possible for treatment no matter the trimester.
Finally, always let your dentist know you’re expecting and if you’re on any specific medications! When we know, we can take all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable dental visit.
At-Home Oral Hygiene for Your Pregnancy Health
Regular dental care during pregnancy is just part of the equation. These visits should always be coupled with excellent at-home care. While dentists recommend brushing at least twice daily and flossing no less than once, you might add a brushing and flossing session to your routine during pregnancy, especially if gum disease runs in your family or you’ve had dental complications during previous pregnancies.
When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association. Brush your teeth in a circular motion on all surfaces and the gums and use firm but gentle pressure—you never want to brush too hard. When flossing, always use fresh sections of string for every pass through. You can also periodically rinse with an alcohol-free mouth rinse.
About Gum Disease and Its Complications
You may be at risk for various oral health complications during pregnancy, especially if key vitamins and minerals are low or depleted. However, gum disease is the most significant risk to yourself and your child.
Gum disease is an oral health condition that starts as gingivitis. In the gingivitis stage, your dentist can reverse the condition and restore your oral health. When gingivitis advances to periodontitis, it is only treatable. However, gum disease treatment in Wilmington, DE can mitigate your risks for complications.
Risk factors for gum disease include:
- Family history of gum disease
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Poor oral hygiene
- Lack of appropriate dental care
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Hormonal changes as seen in pregnancy
The risks associated with untreated gum disease include but are not limited to:
- Heart and lung issues or disease
- Specific types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease
- Specific autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis
- Preterm labor or low birth weight in newborns
The signs and symptoms of gum disease:
- Loose and mobile teeth
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing
- Recurring bad breath, even after brushing and flossing
- Gum irritation and/or gum recession (elongated appearing teeth)
Early gum disease or gingivitis may not have every symptom, so regular dental care during pregnancy is vital. You want an early diagnosis or prevention to maintain your gum health.
Your dentist must diagnose and treat gum disease as soon as possible.
Dental Emergencies During Pregnancy
If you have a toothache or other dental emergency, you may hesitate to see the dentist during pregnancy, fearing x-rays or treatments will harm your unborn child.
We strongly encourage you to reconsider! Intervention and treatment for dental emergencies in Wilmington, DE, contribute to a safer pregnancy. Your dentist knows which precautions to take for successful and safe dental care. We even take precautions regarding imaging, using digital technology and other safeguards for our patients.
During pregnancy, we can provide cavity treatment, crowning, root canal therapy, and more to ensure your comfort and stop decay or infection spread, which is far more dangerous than dental care!
A Conversation with Your Dentist in Wilmington, DE
You can include your dentist in pregnancy planning. For example, you can let your dentist know you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. Your dentist can then advise you on checkup and teeth cleaning schedules and provide a periodontal evaluation from the beginning. That way we can compare periodontal changes as your pregnancy progresses.
Our team is also here if you have questions along the way, including information about tooth-friendly nutrition.
We can also provide tips on best practices for at-home oral hygiene between dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
Of course, if you notice oral health changes between dental visits, including sores that don’t heal, bleeding gums, or other, we want to hear from you as soon as possible for your peace of mind, dental health, and the well-being of your unborn child.
Scheduling Your Next Checkup and Cleaning: Safe Dental Care During Pregnancy
We are a family dentist, so when your child's first dental visit comes around, they can see the same team you’ve come to know and trust. Our team is happy to see patients of all ages.
For more information or to schedule a visit with the dentist, contact us at (302) 475-9220 to get started. We accept CareCredit financing.