When you’re expecting, nothing is more important than your health. While you may be planning to spend a lot of time with your primary physician, it’s critical not to forget about your dental health too! Pregnancy causes many changes in your body and the side-effects impact your teeth and gums. Ignoring dental care during pregnancy can lead to health issues for you or your baby. Read on to learn about how to plan and what to expect during this exciting period in your life.

Let Your Dentist Know That You’re Pregnant

It’s likely that you will notify your physician when you discover you’re pregnant. But it’s important to let all your medical providers know – including your dentist. Your pregnancy impacts your dental health just as much as it impacts the rest of your health. While elective procedures should be postponed until after you have your baby, standard dental care during pregnancy is critical. Contact your dentist and start planning the best time for your checkups over the next nine months.

Dental Health Risks Associated with Pregnancy

Pregnancy Gingivitis

The most common risk to your dental health is something known as “pregnancy gingivitis.” During pregnancy, the body produces a heightened level of progesterone. This promotes increased bacteria growth in your mouth, and makes you more likely to develop plaque that causes gingivitis. It’s estimated that around 40% of women experience pregnancy gingivitis at some point during their pregnancy.

Just like typical gingivitis, there are several indicators that you should visit your dentist for treatment:

• Tender gums
• Swollen Gums
• Reddening gums
• Gums that bleed when brushed or flossed

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment to visit your dentist soon. While gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, it leads directly to periodontal disease when untreated. Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease which can cause serious harm to your health.

Pregnancy Tumors

Gingivitis isn’t the only reason that dental care during pregnancy is so important. When you’re expecting, you may develop large lumps on the inside of your mouth, typically on the gum line. These red lumps are called pregnancy tumors. Occurring in around 10% of pregnant women, they may bleed and can cause significant discomfort.

However, don’t let the name alarm you. Pregnancy tumors are not cancerous. They’re the result of extreme inflammation, which is usually in response to an irritant like plaque. The best way to avoid them is keep your steady daily care routine to prevent bacteria from building up.

Tooth Decay

Morning sickness is an unfortunate reality for some expecting mothers. If your morning sickness leads to vomiting, rinse your mouth with water. The acid from your stomach is damaging to your teeth – any acids will wear away enamel, which leaves your teeth susceptible to decay.

Snacking is another way that pregnancy can increase your risk for tooth decay. Increased appetites or a craving for sugary foods can increase the acid and bacteria in your mouth. Pay attention to what you eat or drink and simply make sure to brush after your meals.

Is Dental Care During Pregnancy Safe?

It’s not uncommon for women to cancel and postpone dental appointments during pregnancy. A few big myths have been perpetuated enough to discourage expecting mothers from visiting the dentist. If you’re worried, find out the truth behind some of the biggest concerns:

Myth: You Can’t Get X-Rays During Pregnancy

While there is a lot of controversy surrounding this myth, most medical experts agree that dental x-rays are not a significant risk. At Schmakel Smile Design, we only take x-rays during pregnancy if there is a toothache, abscess or injury. We do this to correctly diagnose and treat the problem so both Mom and baby remain healthy.  We use proper lead shielding and uses digital technology at our office to minimize the amount of radiation used. In summary: unless an x-ray is necessary to diagnose dental pain, we will postpone the radiographs until after birth.

Myth: Local Anesthetics Can Cause Complications

This common myth is one reason that many pregnant women avoid dentist visits until after they give birth. However, current research shows there is no evidence that local anesthetics impact the health of the baby. If you have a toothache, don’t put it off!

Myth: Prescribed Medications Are Unsafe During Pregnancy

While this myth has a lot of truth to it, it’s far from absolute. If your dentist can work with your physician to ensure that any medication related to your dental health is safe for you during pregnancy. This is one reason it’s so critical to keep your medical providers up-to-date with your pregnancy: they can’t take these extra steps unless they know you’re expecting! And if you’re ever in doubt, always ask your doctor.

Worried About Dental Care During Pregnancy? We Can Help!

The dental professionals at Schmakel Smile Design can answer your questions and guide you towards a brighter smile! Make an appointment or call us at (419) 841-9494.

We are proud to be your dentist in Toledo, near Sylvania. For more information about what we do, contact Schmakel Smile Design:

Phone: (419) 841.9494

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.toledodentistry.com.

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