Congratulations, you’re a beautiful, glowing mother-to-be! And with the future in mind regarding what will be best for you and your baby; it’s likely that you’ve wondered how your pregnancy will affect your dentist appointments now that you’re concerned for two. Don’t worry; we’ve put together 3 helpful tips for your dental health care whilst pregnant:
Continue With Your Regular Dentist Check-Ups
The last thing you want to do is to avoid the dentist whilst pregnant. Oral health is not just important for your health but your baby’s health as well. Because of the change in diet and hormones in a pregnancy, women are more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, studies have linked periodontal gum disease to premature delivery. Continuing with healthy eating habits, regular brushing, flossing and dental cleaning appointments can be extremely beneficial to the overall health of your pregnancy.
Know What Is Safe And What To Avoid
You will want to avoid certain treatments while pregnant. Teeth whitening, dental amalgam (cavity filling material), x-rays (unless it’s an emergency), can all be delayed for after pregnancy and are considered safe when breastfeeding. However, periodontal treatment and local anaesthetics have been deemed safe and necessary procedures during pregnancy. As stated above, periodontal treatment is not only safe but urgently needed if you have been diagnosed with this gum disease. Make sure to inform your dentist of your pregnancy and ask about other risks and recommendations.
Come To Your Appointment Comfortable
Depending on how hard your pregnancy symptoms have been it can be awfully stressful and uncomfortable for the mother-to-be. Your dentist appointment doesn’t need to follow suit. Come to your appointment ready to sit in a chair for a bit; dress comfortable (maternity yoga pants and loose shirts). Also, try bringing a pillow to unwind and give yourself a break while taking care of your oral health. With all of your upcoming numerous doctor appointments, make your dentist appointment a relaxing event.
Pregnancy doesn’t last forever and while you’re feeling overwhelmed and possibly overly cautious, chances are you are doing just fine. Remember that keeping up with good habits: brushing, flossing, check-ups, and asking your dentist questions are essential for a healthy pregnancy. For more on dental health care during pregnancy, contact us!