Port Hope Dental - eNewsletter

Dentistry for Moms-To-Be!

Pregnancy is filled with exciting changes to your body, and your mouth is no exception. Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy increase the potential for dental problems, emphasizing the importance of proper and sometimes extra-ordinary oral hygiene.

Pregnancy induced gingivitis is the most common of the dental concerns during a pregnancy. This form of gingivitis is most prevalent between the second and eighth month of pregnancy. The symptoms associated with pregnancy induced gingivitis include: gums that are red, swollen, tender, and bleeding during brushing and flossing.

What can you do to decrease your risk?
We recommend more frequent visits to our office for cleanings and examinations during your pregnancy.

Brush your teeth and tongue after every meal.
Floss in the morning and again before bed.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

If you experience morning sickness, rinse with water or brush your teeth with water only (toothpaste can be too abrasive to teeth as morning sickness is acidic). Stomach acid that stays in contact with your teeth increases the risk of tooth decay.

Ensuring proper oral health is also healthy for your baby:
Studies suggest severe periodontal disease may increase the risk of having a low-birth weight pre-term baby. Your nutritional choices also play a huge role in the development of your child's teeth even during your pregnancy. We would be pleased to discuss your child's oral development both before and after birth during your next visit.

Added dental visit precautions you should take:
Let us know that you are pregnant. This will allow us to pay special attention to potential conditions such as pregnancy induced gingivitis. We will also take special measures to put off X-Rays and medication that can wait and provide appropriate precautions when they are necessary.

If you have any dental-related questions during your pregnancy, please feel free to contact our office.