It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy. Because pregnancy causes many hormonal changes that increase the risk of developing gum disease. Therefore, your developing baby is also affected by this condition.
BEFORE PREGNANCY
If there is a planned pregnancy, it is important to check with a dentist before pregnancy and to eliminate possible problems. In this way, situations that may arise or exacerbate during pregnancy can be prevented.
PREGNANCY DENTAL CARE
Tell your dentist that you are pregnant. In terms of your health, it is not preferred to have dental treatments in the first 3 months and the last 1.5 months of pregnancy. This is because this process is considered a period when it will affect the growth and development of the baby. In the second trimester, routine dental treatments can be performed. Complicated treatments are left after the pregnancy process as much as possible.
If you are taking any medical treatment -drugs etc.- or if you have a condition that your gynecologist wants you to inform other doctors about, you should definitely notify your dentist.
Avoid dental X-rays during pregnancy, except in emergencies. However, advances in technology make X-rays used in dentistry much safer than in previous years. Therefore, X-rays can be used in emergency situations. Your dentist will decide this in the most accurate way.
Every individual should have a routine dental examination every 6 months. This also applies to the pregnancy process. Whether you have a complaint or not, continue with your routine checks. As we mentioned at the beginning, this period is a risky process especially in terms of gum diseases, so these routine examinations are much more important. In case of gingival problems such as sudden gingival bleeding during pregnancy, consult your dentist immediately.
To avoid problems with your oral health, strictly follow the rules of oral hygiene.
morning sickness
If your morning sickness is so severe that it affects brushing your teeth, you can try a smaller-headed toothbrush, mint-sweet pastes, or get help from your dentist.
If your nausea is accompanied by the problem of vomiting, rinse your mouth with tap water, if possible, if you do not have mouthwashes. Because the acids that come out during vomiting damage your teeth and gums.
PROPER NUTRITION FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUR TEETH
Avoid snacks containing sugar. Sweet cravings are very common during pregnancy. This is due to the frequent drop in blood sugar. For this reason, you should eat less frequently, stay away from sugary foods and pay attention to your oral care after meals. However, recent research shows that the bacteria that cause tooth decay is passed from mother to child. For this reason, oral care is very important, especially after frequent snacking.
Be sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Your baby’s first teeth develop in the first 3 months of your pregnancy. A healthy diet that includes all food groups, especially yoghurt and cheese, is beneficial for your baby’s developing teeth, gums and bones, as they contain the main minerals.
POST-NATAL
You may have had a gum problem during pregnancy. In this case, you should definitely see your dentist for postnatal status evaluation. Because, periodontal disease called pyogenic granuloma and known as pregnancy gum tumor is very common during pregnancy.
