As you check off your baby lists, don’t forget to check off your oral health list! It is very important to do everything you can to help your smile during your pregnancy, and I recommend doing the following things so you can maintain strong and successful teeth and gums:
Keep up on oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is extremely important during pregnancy, and it’s also important that you use the right tools when you brush, floss, and rinse every day. So, to help you pick the right tools to use, I recommend choosing products that have the American Dental Association seal of acceptance. This seal proves that the product is the best choice for your smile.
Talk to me, your dentist
Talk to me when you come into our office for your six month checkup. Make sure you mention you are pregnant so I can look for any problems that could be related to pregnancy. I also ask you to tell us about any kinds of medications you are taking so I can treat your smile accordingly.
Watch for changes in the mouth
Pregnancy can affect your oral health in more ways than you might realize, so please keep an eye out for any changes in your mouth. These changes could include bleeding, swollen, or tender gums as well as red, raspberry-like sores on your oral tissues. If you see these signs, please come into my office as soon as possible.
Have a healthy diet
Having a healthy diet will help you and it will also help the baby. So, make sure you get enough vitamin A, C, and D as well as enough protein and calcium each day. I also ask that you keep snacking down to a minimum and you integrate more fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and cheese into your diet.
Deal with morning sickness
If you frequently vomit, your smile is prone to tooth decay. The acid in the vomit tends to attack the smile and erode the tooth enamel. So, to control the oral acid, please rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda and water.
For more information about caring for your smile during pregnancy, call me where I can be found at Awesome Smiles Dental Center today and talk to a member of my caring dental team. I want to see you achieve your smile goals, and I also want to see you maintain a strong and successful oral health, so I am happy to help you in any way we can. If you have any concerns, please call 571-261-2600 and schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Tontra Lowe. Let us help keep your smile healthy during this beautiful transition in your life.