How Pregnancy Affects Your Dental Health

There are many myths about how pregnancy affects your dental health. One widely circulated myth warns expectant mothers that she will lose a tooth for each pregnancy. While this is certainly not true, you can expect some changes in your dental health and most are caused by simple fluctuations of hormones. Here are some ways that pregnancy affects your teeth and what you can do to make sure you have a healthy smile after the baby arrives.

First, you should remember that when you are pregnant, you can still visit your dentist, just make sure you let him or her know that you are expecting. However, your dentist will probably not perform any x-rays or dental surgery on you while you are expecting. If x-rays are a necessity, your dentist will place a special apron over you to protect your baby. Instead, you will still be able to visit your dentist for regular check ups and cleaning and these visits are just as important while you are pregnant. Some experts say that you can have simple dental procedures, such as fillings done only after the first trimester of pregnancy.

Morning sickness can be one reason why your teeth are not as clean and fresh as they once were before you were pregnant. Many women suffer through a strong gag reflex during this time and brush their teeth simply makes them fell sick. Instead of skipping your daily brushing routine, you should still try to rinse your mouth with warm water and at least rub toothpaste over your teeth. When the feeling of sickness subsides, go ahead and brush and floss as you normally would.

Another concern when it comes to dental health and pregnancy is food cravings. Many women will crave sweets and salty foods, which can lead to tooth decay. Late night snacks without brushing can also cause you to have problems with your teeth. Be aware of what you are eating and if it is at all possible, make sure you brush or at least rinse with water after snacking. Remember that foods such as crackers and raisins, even though they are healthy for your body, can stick in your teeth and cause problems with decay.

While you are pregnant, you want to make sure you are keeping your teeth as strong as possible. Calcium is one way you can do this. When you are expecting, it is recommended that you 1100 milligrams of calcium each day and if you are breastfeeding, you should take 1200 milligrams. If you can get that much on your diet alone, there are plenty of calcium supplements that are perfectly safe to take when you are pregnant. Also, remember that the calcium is important for the baby's teeth, as well.

Caring for your teeth is an especially important concern during pregnancy. Take the time to visit your dentist on a regular basis and to take care of your teeth at home. If you experience any difficulties with sore or bleeding gum, or other dental issues, you should always visit with your dentist.

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