For the health of you and your baby
Pregnancy can be a very joyous and monumental chapter in life. It also comes with a whole host of changes, and the hormonal ones are just the beginning. Just like the rest of your body, your teeth, gums and mouth require care and attention in protecting the health of you and your baby. If you’re planning for a family, it’s advisable to see us pre-pregnancy or from about 12 weeks.
Our dental examination during pregnancy will:
- Check for any signs of gum disease. It is fairly common for women to develop this condition during pregnancy due to natural hormonal changes in the body.
- Provide help if you find your gums are more sensitive and swollen (they might bleed and be quite painful to brush and floss). This is known as pregnancy gingivitis. We can suggest alternative preventative care if required.
- Eliminate the transfer of bacteria from you to your baby, through a gentle yet thorough clean. This is for your personal benefit but also to reduce the likelihood of your baby suffering from early childhood decay.
- Recommend and discuss any required dental treatments using the safest and most appropriate practises and set up a specialised pregnancy oral health care plan.
A word from your dentist on morning sickness & cravings
Morning sickness is a common occurrence in early pregnancy and often causes nausea and vomiting. Reasons for morning sickness relate to natural hormonal fluctuations. As the acid in vomit erodes enamel your teeth will be more susceptible to sensitivity. Do not brush your teeth for at least one hour after vomiting.
Instead, you should follow this tooth cleaning technique:
- Flush your mouth with either an alcohol-free fluoride mouth rinse or with a solution of ¼ teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup of warm water.
- You may also benefit from chewing sugar-free gum and eating acid-neutralising foods such as natural/Greek yoghurt, milk and hard/pasteurised cheese.
If you’re craving ice cream on toast then this is quite normal! However, it is important to be mindful of the desire for sweet foods and drinks as these present a risk to your teeth and general health. Instead, focus on eating a wide variety of healthy foods that are low in sugar, fat and salt and high in calcium/fibre. The exception is to avoid mould-based soft cheeses eg. Brie/Camembert and raw fish eg. in sushi. Keep hydrated and rinse your mouth with tap water between meals.
