The state of your dental health is probably not something you give any thought to at all when you are pregnant.
Pregnancy can have an impact on both your teeth and gums. According to a survey published by the Dental Health Institute, between 60 and 75 percent of pregnant women have dental health difficulties such as gingivitis during their pregnancy.
Because this is something that we most do not want to occur, we consulted with dental professionals to learn why pregnancy is associated with potential changes in oral health as well as how to take additional precautions when it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums while you are pregnant.
What changes occur in your body during pregnancy that make you more prone to gum disease?
It turns out that pregnancy hormones are to blame for a lot of the changes you experience throughout the three trimesters of your pregnancy, including morning sickness.
When a woman is pregnant, her body produces more hormones like estrogen and progesterone than usual, which can cause her teeth to become more sensitive and her gums to swell and become inflamed. This condition is known as pregnancy gingivitis.
If it is not addressed, it can result in tooth decay and erosion of the enamel.
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However, before it gets to that severe degree, there will be some preliminary signs of gingivitis, which is the prelude to full-blown periodontal disease, so you shouldn’t be too concerned about it. Some people already have gingivitis when they get pregnant, and the condition either continues unabated or becomes even more severe because of all the inflammation.
When brushing their teeth for the first time during pregnancy, some people may detect gingivitis warning signs such as swollen, red, or bleeding gums. Other people may also notice these symptoms. The nausea and vomiting that are frequently associated with morning sickness can coat the teeth with acid, which can erode the teeth and potentially lead to cavities and decay.
The question now is, how will this affect the baby? There is still a need for more studies to be carried out, although severe gum disease suffered by a pregnant woman may be linked to unfavorable birth outcomes such as early birth or a low birth weight.
This may be the case because gingivitis begins as an infection of the gum tissue and can later advance to the more serious type of gum disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to infections of the bloodstream, which can have a negative impact on the infant.
Infants are not born with a significant number of harmful bacteria in their mouths. It is conceivable for parents to transmit cavity-causing germs onto their children through simple methods such as sharing a spoon or straw.
This is one of the ways this can happen.
Even though gingivitis is rather common and does not pose a significant risk to one’s life in its early stages, you can still try to prevent it during pregnancy and in other situations by taking extra care of your oral health.
This will also help you avoid any issues related to pregnancy that may be caused by gingivitis.
Pregnancy and oral health considerations and advice
Use an electric toothbrush to brush your teeth
It is recommended that you continue caring for your teeth in the same manner as you have been, which includes brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing every day in between each tooth.
You should use your usual toothpaste
During your time as a pregnant woman, you won’t need to purchase any kind of specialized toothpaste.
For the most reliable clean, dentists recommend sticking with a toothpaste that is accepted by both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many over-the-counter brands, such as Colgate, have both credentials.
Additionally, a little bit can go a long way: In order to thoroughly clean your teeth, you don’t need to cover the entire toothbrush with toothpaste, and you just need a speck the size of a pea.
Include a water flosser in the kit
Cleaning in between the teeth is an important measure to take in the fight against gum disease.
According to dentists, pregnant women should never skip a session of flossing.
It is suggested to use a water flosser like Waterpik if using a traditional flosser is too much of a headache for you. It cleans the gums as well as the spaces between the teeth, which can be difficult to access, and it can cover more surface area in the mouth.
A fluoride rinse might be of some assistance
It’s possible that gargling with a mouthwash that contains mint could be beneficial in more ways than one. Following a bout of morning sickness may provide you with a cleaner taste in your mouth, and it may also assist in maintaining the strength of the enamel on your teeth.
You should use mouthwash that contains fluoride, such as the Crest Pro-Health Rinse, which is highly recommended by dentists.
Avoid using teeth-whitening products
It is recommended that you refrain from using any teeth-whitening solutions for the next few months, even though you might want your teeth to be the whitest possible even though you can’t control much else that is occurring to your body during pregnancy.
According to the study “Professional whitening treatments, in addition to many whitening strips and mouthwashes, contain hydrogen peroxide, which can exacerbate gum inflammation and tooth sensitivity, which can occasionally lead to pregnancy gingivitis.”
Chew on some xylitol mints
Mints, chewing gums, and sprays are some examples of products that contain xylitol as the primary sweetener. According to a study, these products can help reduce the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Xylitol is a sugar acid and it ought to be used in moderation, no more than once or twice per day, because taking in too much of it can induce stomach trouble.
It is a good idea to bring these mints with you wherever you go, particularly if you experience a great deal of nausea in the morning.
As a corollary to this, it is advised that if you do end up being sick, you should wait at least half an hour after throwing up before brushing your teeth. This will prevent more acid production in the mouth.
Brush your teeth after rinsing your mouth with a solution made of baking soda and water and then wait a short period in between the two steps to ensure that your mouth is completely clean.
Conclusion
There is no foolproof method for preventing gingivitis entirely, but the doctors recommend maintaining a significant portion of what you are already doing while you are pregnant. This includes consuming a diet that is healthy for both you and the kid.
According to studies “Avoiding foods with high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium can help reduce the risk of pregnancy gingivitis,”. This can also help guarantee that you are feeling your best throughout these next nine months.