When a woman is pregnant, her whole body goes through a serious adjustment. Her mouth is no exception. There are many ways that pregnancy impacts your routine oral health, so keep the following tips in mind to ensure the best health for yourself and your unborn baby:
- Plan Your Dental Appointments Around your Trimesters: Dental treatment should be avoided during your first and third trimesters, as these are important times in the baby’s development. Try to plan your routine checkups with our Issaquah dentist during your second trimester. Also, be sure to ask us about any dental medication you may be taking.
- Avoid X-Rays: Modern dental x-rays are safer than ever before, but there is no reason to expose your unborn baby to radiation during this particularly vulnerable time.
- Watch Out for Gum Disease: Hormonal changes are putting your gums at particular risk. Practice strict oral hygiene, and pay close attention for signs of gingivitis.
- Switch to a Bland Toothpaste: Anyone who has been through morning sickness knows the value of a bland toothpaste.
- Rinse After Vomiting: Morning sickness often means vomiting, which exposes the delicate tissues and enamels in your mouth to harsh stomach acids. Rinse out with water or mouthwash after vomiting, but don’t brush; the acids in your mouth have temporarily weakened your teeth, and brushing too soon can strip this enamel away.
