Visit Your San Antonio Dentist While Pregnant
If you are pregnant it is important to visit the dentist to stay in good oral health. Preventative dental care is important in order to keep cavities and gum disease from forming. When you are pregnant the importance is increased because statistically pregnant women have more sensitive teeth and when a pregnant mom’s teeth and gums are healthy, the baby’s will be healthier as well.
Studies have found that a pregnant woman can directly impact the oral health of her child for the rest of their lifetime. When a mother has healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy, the child typically has better oral health throughout their entire lifetime. Additionally, the amount of calcium that a mom intakes will determine how strong the baby’s teeth and bones are. Both the teeth and bones form inside of the womb so even if teeth are not seen until the child is older, they are still formed before it is ever born using the nutrients gleaned from the mother. If mom doesn’t intake enough calcium the body will respond by taking calcium out of the mother’s bones and teeth in order to give it to the baby. This can be detrimental to a woman and make it easier for teeth and bones to become damaged or broken in an accident. This may even lead to osteoporosis later on in life.
As a local dentist, we stress the importance of ongoing preventative dental care especially during pregnancy in order to stay in good oral health. This involves having your teeth cleaned at least twice during pregnancy. During these teeth cleanings we will remove bacteria and plaque that you were unable to reach at home. We also look for signs of cavities so that they can be treated right away. Since pregnant women have more sensitive teeth it is important to catch and treat cavities quickly before they have a chance to cause tooth pain. Most small cavities cause discomfort when eating or chewing in a certain way but otherwise are not painful. When they grow and spread the pain increases, which can be avoided with preventative dental care.
During these appointments we will also remove bacteria from on and around the gum line. Pregnancy can restrict blood flow to the gums which in turn makes them swollen and puffy, and in some cases can cause them to start bleeding. These symptoms are similar to that of gum disease and can be relieved by removing bacteria. It will not solve the blood flow problem but will help you feel more comfortable.
At home you can practice good oral hygiene by brushing teeth after meals with a soft toothbrush. This should be done gently so as not to irritate the gums. Flossing daily and using an antiseptic mouthwash will also help to keep cavities away. Pregnant women should also increase their water intake. Pregnancy can lead to dehydration due to how much water the body needs for the baby. As a result, saliva can be decreased which can lead to bad breath and reduce the body’s ability naturally to wash away bacteria and food particles.
To learn more about staying healthy during pregnancy or to schedule a teeth cleaning, call our dentist office today.