2 Ways A Pregnancy Can Affect Your Dental Health

One of the things that you find out when you're pregnant is that pregnancy is a whole body condition. It affects you from your feet (which might just grow a size or two) all the way up to your hair (which could might be thicker than it ever was before). What you may not realize is that pregnancy can also affect your teeth and your dental health. Many women skip dentist appointments while they're pregnant, either because they believe that dental treatment may be unsafe for the baby, or simply because pregnancy is a busy time. Ignoring your dental health is a bad idea, though. Check out a few of the ways that pregnancy can affect your dental health.

Tooth Erosion

For some women, the very first sign that they might be pregnant is a rather unpleasant condition commonly called morning sickness. Some women only experience mild nausea, but others suffer through episodes of vomiting for days, weeks, or even months.

If you have morning sickness, you should be aware that frequent vomiting can seriously damage your teeth. The stomach acids in the vomit can weaken the enamel and eventually erode it. Brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting makes it worse, because you end up spreading the acid around. You can mitigate the effects by rinsing your mouth with a solution of baking soda and water before your brush your teeth. This can help bring the pH balance in your mouth back to a less acidic level. Then you can brush without spreading more acid around on your teeth.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a form of gum disease characterized by gums that are inflamed, swollen, sensitive, or that bleed when you brush. During pregnancy, many women experience something called pregnancy gingivitis. This occurs because of the hormonal changes in your body that make your gums more sensitive to the bacteria in your mouth that cause plaque and decay.

While gingivitis by itself is not dangerous to your baby, there is a link between advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, and preterm labor and low birth weight. That means that if you have pregnancy gingivitis, it's important to keep it under control so that it doesn't progress into something more serious. You should visit your dentist early in your pregnancy to have the health of your gums evaluated, and you should definitely return to the dentist if you notice symptoms of gingivitis later.

Most dental procedures are perfectly safe for pregnant women, so don't let that fear stop you from visiting the dentist (like those at Carpenter Dental) while pregnant. By getting good dental healthcare and maintaining your at-home dental care regime, you can keep your mouth healthy and ensure a healthier pregnancy.