Pregnancy affects your whole body with all the dramatic hormonal and physical changes your body goes through, but did you know it affects your oral health too?
We here at White Space Dental have made a list of 5 ways pregnancy can affect your oral health:
1. Gingivitis
Nearly 60 to 75% of pregnant women develop gingivitis which is when the gums are sensitive, inflamed and swollen and this is aggravated by hormonal changes.
If this gingivitis is not treated, the bone that supports the teeth can be lost, and the gums can become infected causing gum disease. Gum disease has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.
2. Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis can affect pregnant women and involves painful, pale to deep red gums that bleed easily. The good news is, this is easily treated by your dentist but still causes lots of discomfort.
3. Cavities
1 in 4 pregnant women can also be at risk of cavities due to changes in eating habits. Women who have a lot of cavity-causing bacteria in their mouth during pregnancy could transmit these bacteria to their baby after birth.
Early contact with these bacteria can lead to early childhood cavities and the need for extensive dental care at a young age.
4. Morning Sickness
Morning sickness and excessive vomiting brings teeth into contact with strong stomach acid that increases the risk of decay in your teeth. Over 50% of pregnant women experience acid reflux and indigestion that can also contribute to this.
5. Dry Mouth
Pregnant women are commonly affected by dry mouth (xerostomia), which reduces the amount of saliva you produce. This can mean the bacteria in your mouth that causes decay is not being removed as frequently putting you at higher risk for tooth decay.
How To Avoid These Issues
The best way to avoid any oral health complications during pregnancy is to make sure you have any dental health issues resolved before you fall pregnant. Make sure to visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy, brush your teeth twice a day and don’t forget to floss!
All of these reasons and many more are why you should add a dentist to the list of healthcare professionals you should visit during pregnancy. We here at White Space Dental are oral health experts and are here to help you every step of the way.
Contact our caring and experienced White Space Dental team to book in your check-up appointment now!
Resources
health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-c-lifestyle-considerations/oral-health
ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week-2016/Women-and-Oral-Health/Pregnancy
cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/pregnancy-and-oral-health.html