Oral Health Tips For Pregnant Moms

Knowing how pregnancy can affect your teeth and gums, here are helpful tips to follow when it comes to taking care of your oral health. They are not any different from your regular routine, except that you have to keep in mind that any neglect can impact your baby’s future health.

Inform your dentist right away if you are pregnant. Your dentist may need to modify the timing and procedure of some treatments scheduled for you. Your dentist should also know the medications prescribed to you and other important advice from your doctor.

Brush with fluoride at least twice a day, in the morning and before you retire to bed. Take your time brushing with fluoride for no sooner than two minutes each time. Fluoride helps fight plaque and keep cavities at bay. Remember that pregnancy enables women to be more susceptible to oral bacteria that builds up plaque. This increases your risk for pregnancy gingivitis. Consider an electric toothbrush which is more thorough than a manual one. Choose a soft-bristled brush and mind to change your brush every so often when the bristles become frayed.

Floss at least once a day before sleeping. Brushing does not always rid your teeth of debris sometimes hiding in between the teeth. There are some spots your brush cannot reach or areas in your mouth that are difficult to clean, such as crooked or impacted teeth, if you have them. Left-over food in between teeth is attacked by bacteria to form plaque, and this can do harm to the gums.

Manage your pregnancy cravings by steering away from frequent indulging in sweet and starchy foods. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet advised by your doctor. Plan your diet around fruits and vegetables, whole grain carbohydrates like cereals and bread, dairy products like milk and cheese, and lean protein like chicken and certain fish.

Visit your dentist at least 2 times for routine check-ups during your pregnancy. Let your dentist examine the state of your teeth and gums, look for caries and gingivitis which are risks higher in pregnant women. There are simple and cautious treatments, like professional cleaning, that are safe for you and your baby.

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Keeping A Healthy Mouth While Pregnant

Do you have more questions and concerns about your oral health while expecting? Schedule a check-up with your Bellevue dentist right away.

Pregnancy and Dentist Visits

Pregnant women often wonder if it is safe to see their dentist. How will it affect their baby? Experts say it is not just safe to see the dentist but it is highly recommended to do so. Pregnant women also have issues that need to be addressed to ensure the oral health of both mother and child.

Generally, routine examinations and cleanings are recommended. Any major dental procedure or other unnecessary treatment is better postponed after the delivery. Certainly it is safest that before your pregnancy, see your dentist so that x-rays and other treatment can be planned and undertaken.

Your first 13 weeks of pregnancy, or the first trimester, is a critical period when your baby’s major organs are under development. During this time, only check-ups and routine cleaning are allowed. If possible, you should not have anesthesia, surgery or drugs. By week 14 to 20, the second trimester, elective dental treatment can be considered. This is the quietest and safest time during a woman’s pregnancy.

The third trimester, which is from the 25th week and before childbirth, is a difficult time for the mother. Her body is heavier, sitting in the dental chair can be uncomfortable for her; likewise, her baby’s placenta at this time is very susceptible to outside factors. In acute conditions like tooth pain and infection that can cause stress to mother and child, the appropriate treatment can be carried out. Otherwise, it is recommended to postpone planned operations or procedures after delivery.

During any time in a pregnancy dental treatment can be done, though there are more suitable times than others. However, in the event of a dental emergency, such as one involving an infection, you must see your dentist promptly. In cases of preventive therapy – such as cleaning, fluoride application, fissure sealants, and others, your dentist can apply modifications to keep you and your baby safe. Taking dental x-rays come with shielding, as per the ADA guidelines.

When seeing your dentist at any time while expecting, you must mention the medicines you are taking and any specific instructions of your physician. This will guide your dentist to better have the best possible care for you and your baby. Nonetheless, sticking to your oral hygiene routine and visiting your dentist at least twice during your pregnancy, significantly decreases the risk of infection.

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Worry-Free Dental Health in Bellevue

While you are expecting, be sure to visit our Bellevue dentist, here at Overlake Dental, for a safer, secure, and worry-free pregnancy.

Oral Warning Signs During Pregnancy

Now that you are pregnant and are preparing for the arrival of your baby, you are probably hounded by a thousand and one things to do. Your health and that of your baby are your prime concerns. This is the time you ought to think about your oral health because the health of your teeth and gums can be linked to your baby’s health.

Pregnancy can affect your teeth and gums leading to conditions like gingivitis, bleeding gums and sensitive teeth can appear and ultimately influence the health of your baby. You must know the warning signs to be able to manage your mouth health especially during this time.

Elevated hormones trigger the body through incredible changes, helping the development of your baby. However, some of these hormonal changes also affect the tissues in the mouth.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

More than 60% of pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis, an early swelling and infection of the gums aggravated by the changing hormones. However, pregnancy per se does not cause gingivitis; it can be aggravated if there is a pre-existing condition. If untreated, it can proceed to periodontitis, characterized by bone and tissue destruction, and ultimately loss of the teeth. Poor pregnancy outcomes can also result from untreated periodontitis, including preterm birth and low birth weight.

During pregnancy, gums may also bleed which is also a symptom of pregnancy gingivitis. This is again due to the hormonal changes that encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, making gums sensitive to brushing or cleaning.

Due to changes in behavior, eating habits of pregnant women make them a risk for cavities. They tend to have more cavity-causing bacteria in their mouth that can be transmitted to the mouth of their babies. If babies born of these pregnancies are introduced to early snacking of sugary foods, or have long contact with their feeding bottles, they tend to develop early childhood cavities. This can also lead to extensive dental care in early life.

Morning sickness is also caused by elevated hormones and vomiting is a common symptom. The acidic content in the vomit can damage tooth enamel causing brittleness. This can make teeth extra sensitive, eroding the outer enamel leading to tooth sensitivity. Likewise, changes in the composition of saliva in around late pregnancy and even during lactation may temporarily predispose to caries and erosion.

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Learning More from our Bellevue Dentists

For more information regarding your oral health while you are expecting, visit your Bellevue dentist here at Overlake Dental.

More Helpful Oral Health Tips When You Travel

Here are more helpful tips in oral health care while you are out on a vacation, a business trip, or enjoying a holiday.

Did you also forget the toothpaste? While it’s easy to buy toothpaste from any convenience store, you might freak out when you realize you just don’t have it at the last minute. Don’t say you’ll stop brushing and defer the routine for another time. Just use plain water and brush your teeth as you ordinarily would. It’s better to resort to this than not brushing at all. Also gargle with your mouth rinse for good measure.

You might be using or wearing dentures, retainers, or mouthguards which you may be taking along with you. Remember that they also need special care so don’t forget to bring any special cleaning supplies for them. If you are wearing braces, bring some wax. And in case you should have a toothache, you also must have painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Can you trust the local water supply where you are staying?

If you are unsure, do not brush your teeth with their water, or even clean your toothbrush with it. Water might be contaminated and make you ill. This is especially so if you are in a country where the water supply is compromised, or you might be outdoors and are not sure if the streams are safe. Always use bottled water for brushing, as well as cleaning your toothbrush with.

While travelling, on vacation or a holiday, you can easily overindulge in eating. The local cuisine in many destinations is most often the pride of the place. Hence, you may let go of yourself and tend to overeat and try everything. Just make sure that after you’ve indulged in lots of sugary, starchy, and acidic food and drinks, in food or in drink, brush your teeth well, floss and rinse. Enjoy the holiday but do not forget oral hygiene. If you can, try to moderate your intake while doing your oral hygiene routine as well. While you’re on holiday, bacteria and acid are still at work and do not take days off.

As soon as you get back from your trip, get back on track with your usual oral hygiene care. In case you were not too faithful to your hygiene routine and you overindulged in sweets and starchy foods, just going back to your routine at home may give peace of mind.

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See our Bellevue Dentist Before and After a Long trip

When you have been away too long or might not have paid us a visit before you embarked on your trip, do see your Bellevue dentist when you come back. It’s best to ascertain your oral health at this time.

Helpful Oral Health Tips When You Travel

If you are planning on a vacation, a business trip, or any travelling in the near future, be sure you keep in mind your oral health, just like you would do with other things. Are you prepared with what you need to do or bring when it comes to the health of your mouth when you travel? Get some helpful tips here.

If you know you would be traveling from your home base for some length of time, be sure to pay a visit to your dentist first. Have a thorough check-up. You’ll never know if a dental emergency might crop up while you’re away. You must also have enough time to spare for follow-ups in case they are needed. This way, you are assured that no untoward incident related to your mouth health will bother you, especially when you are far away from your dentist who knows your oral health best.

Prepare your dental travel kit early.

Have in there your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and sugarless gum. Better bring along a regular, manual toothbrush rather than your electric toothbrush as you may not know if the voltage matches. Have everything inside a kit that is easily accessible. Include your dentist’s calling card as well as keeping it in your phone and your wallet in case of emergency. Your dentist would know if your issue should be treated right away or can wait until you get back.

If you are out of the country and absolutely in need of a dentist, get in touch with the local consulate or U.S. embassy. You can also ask for a recommendation from them or with your hotel concierge.

If you forgot your toothbrush and you don’t have time to rush to the local drugstore in the area (if there is one), rinse vigorously with water. Or you can put some toothpaste in a clean washcloth or on your clean finger and apply. Do not let cavity-causing bacteria stay too long in your mouth. Buy yourself a regular toothbrush when you have the chance. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. otherwise, choose a toothbrush with the softest bristles.

Using a Clean Toothbrush

While you can keep your toothbrush clean and air-dried at home, it may be difficult when you are traveling elsewhere. Keep your toothbrush in a resealable plastic bag, out of reach with other stuff in your kit or your luggage. When you get to your destination, let it out and air dry.

Did you know that chewing sugarless gum while in flight can help relieve ear pressure? It also keeps cavities away because you are keeping your saliva flowing. Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal hydrates the mouth. Be sure you’ve packed an ADA-accepted sugarless gum.

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Learning More From Your Bellevue Dentist

When you have a planned lengthy trip coming up, drop by our Bellevue dentist. Let’s see if you and your mouth are ready for travel and prevent any dental emergencies on your trip.