12 Simple Dental Care Tips for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women need to take care of their oral health as doing so is important for their babies’ well-being. When a woman is pregnant, she goes through a lot of changes like experiencing morning sickness. This problem is common among expecting mothers, but avoiding brushing right after this issue is advisable to protect the teeth enamel. There are other dental care tips such as visiting the dentist, increasing the daily intake of calcium and flossing at least once a day should also be considered. If you’re pregnant, then this blog-post by Dentistry on Dusk, a dentistry in Brampton, is meant for you. We are going over all the important dental care tips to follow for your and baby’s good health.

1. Avoid brushing after morning sickness

If you brush your teeth immediately after vomiting, then the stomach acid will damage your teeth enamel. Instead, wait for an hour and then brush your teeth. If you can’t wait longer and want to get clean your mouth, then you can rinse it with non-acidic and non-alcoholic mouthwash or plain water.

2. Brush twice a day

This becomes mandatory because pregnancy brings down your immunity and there are hormonal changes which affect your teeth. This is why you need to maintain good oral hygiene and brush your teeth at least two times a day. If your gag reflex is regularly being triggered due to morning sickness, then you should use a soft-bristled and small toothbrush.

3. Floss at least once a day

You’re more prone to gum diseases and inflammation during pregnancy which is why flossing is vital. It removes food particles and germs from in between your teeth and prevents the formation of plaque which eventually leads to gum diseases. If you have sensitive taste buds, then use a flavourless floss.

4. Avoid sugary food

Sugary foods lead to the formation of plaque which causes cavities and affects your gums. Also remember, your gums are very sensitive during pregnancy. So, you should avoid sugary food such as chocolates, cookies and candy to better protect your gums.

5. Add more calcium to your diet

You should include foods that are rich in calcium such as milk, cheese, almonds, spinach and yoghurt in your diet when you’re pregnant. This is because they keep your teeth healthy and also helps in your baby’s teeth development. You can also take calcium supplements after consulting your doctor.

6. Learn how hormonal changes affect your teeth and gums

When you’re pregnant, your body experiences a lot of hormonal changes which increases the risk of developing gum diseases. This happens because your gums are sensitive and gingivitis can develop easily which might affect your baby’s health. Hence, it is essential for you to take good care of your teeth and gums.

7. Check for bleeding gums

You may have ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ due to sensitive gums during pregnancy. This might cause you a slight pain or burning in your gums. Your teeth may also feel loose due to the inflamed gums. So, if you notice these symptoms, go to your dentist and get treated as early as possible.

8. Use mild toothpaste

Morning sickness can make you sensitive to taste, especially to the toothpaste you use. If you’re facing this problem, then it’s better to choose mild toothpaste based on the recommendations made by your doctor.

9. Rinse your mouth with water and baking soda after morning sickness

When you vomit in the morning, you might feel like rinsing your mouth immediately. Use baking soda and water as they will not damage your teeth enamel. If you don’t like the taste of baking soda, you can also use non-alcoholic and non-acidic mouthwash to rinse your mouth.

10. Use a tongue cleaner to remove acid from your mouth

You should clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner to get rid of the acid from your mouth. If you have a gag reflex due to pregnancy, then wait for nausea to subside before cleaning the back of your tongue.

11. Inform your dentist about your pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you should inform your dentist. This is because if you’re undergoing any dental treatment, he/she can inform you if it’s safe to continue or postpone it until after your baby is born.

12. Visit Your Dentist

You should visit your dentist regularly and shouldn’t miss any dental checkups when you’re pregnant. This is because he/she will conduct a thorough check-up and identify problems if any and treat them at the earliest only if it’s safe for you. Follow the above-mentioned dental care tips when you’re pregnant. With these simple recommendations, you can keep your teeth and gums in good shape irrespective of common problems like inflammation of gums during pregnancy. Don’t forget to brush, floss and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and baking soda or mouthwash. If you’re looking for a dentist in Brampton, then contact us and book an appointment today.