Oral Health Care During Pregnancy

Stepping up your dental health care when expecting a child.

The initial joy of finding out that you are pregnant can soon be swept aside as the realities of the next nine months hit home.

Whilst it is true that some women seem to fully enjoy this period of time, many others struggle with some of the ‘side effects’ such as morning sickness, back pain and persistent tiredness.

At times like this, it can be very easy to slacken off in certain areas of your life, and your oral health regimen may well suffer at  this time.

Hormones

Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can lead to a number of changes. One of the most noticeable of these, as far as oral health is concerned, is that the gums may become sore and may bleed.

During the nine months of pregnancy,  expectant patients of our Burton on Trent dentists should ensure that they are monitored by an oral health professional as the risk of gum disease is heightened at this time and some early stage treatment may be needed to prevent any problems taking hold.

Safety

There should be no major concerns for the safety of the unborn child when receiving dental treatment. At Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, we have over thirty years of experience and have had a number of expectant mothers in our care during this time.

The only possible areas of potential worry, for some, may be x-rays and amalgam fillings. Whilst it is highly unlikely that x-rays will cause any harm; to be on the safe side, we will only take x-rays when absolutely necessary, such as prior to a root canal procedure. Because amalgam contains mercury, there are some who are concerned that this might have a negative effect on the child. Whilst there is little evidence to support this, tooth coloured fillings are available at Mike Allen’s that do not contain any mercury derivatives and can be used as an alternative.

Diet

Whilst expectant mothers will be aware of the need to eat a healthy diet during pregnancy; they will also be aware of the likelihood of cravings for certain foods, some of which will probably be very ‘unfriendly’ for their teeth.

Ensuring that you look after your oral health during this period by brushing and flossing, as well as regular checks at our Burton on Trent dental practice should ensure that your teeth and gums remain in good shape during this happy, but occasionally challenging, time.

Expectant mums, please call us today on 01283 845345 to arrange an oral health check and we’ll be pleased to help.