Oral Health Concerns For Women Who Are Expecting

While there’s a lot of things to think about during pregnancy — from deciding on your child’s name to picking out baby clothes, we would like to point out here at our Hudson Valley dental practice that oral health should not be overlooked. In fact, one of the most noticeable changes (and often source of discomfort!) during pregnancy has to do with oral health problems.

Below is a quick list of oral health concerns for the woman who is expecting: 

1. Gum Disease – One of the physiological changes during pregnancy is the sudden increase of certain hormones. These hormonal shifts, in turn, lead to gum swelling and increased gum sensitivity. In fact, some women might experience “pregnancy gingivitis” and find themselves with persistent bleeding of the gums.

Furthermore, this study has found out that gum disease is a risk factor for premature labor and low-birth weight infants. The good news is that gum disease during pregnancy could be prevented with frequent dental cleanings and taking measures to reduce plaque formation.

2. Morning Sickness – Morning sickness during the early part of your pregnancy may predispose your worn out the enamel (outermost portion of your teeth). This has to do with the stomach acid that may stick to your teeth. Thus, avoid brushing your teeth right after you vomit as the teeth is at its most vulnerable state around this time. Consider rinsing your mouth with water instead and wait a little longer before brushing.

3. Talk to your dentist about adverse effects of medications on your oral health. One example is tetracycline in which it has been found out that mothers who take  tetracycline after fourth month of their pregnancy could cause tooth staining later on to the child.

Would you like to learn more about oral health care measures during pregnancy? Call us at Brewster at (845) 764-9263, Fishkill at (845) 764-9315, Saw Mill Dental at (914) 357-8917, Kids Family Dental at (845) 764-9572, Jefferson Valley at (914) 357-8916, or Dentists' Office of The Hudson Valley at (845) 512-1230 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to keeping your teeth and mouth healthy while you’re expecting!

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Hudson Valley, make an appointment.