Dental Health Basics for Pregnant Women

When you’re pregnant and responsible for the little life that is growing within, it’s essential that you do all that you can to remain in top physical condition. This would include doing your best to maintain great oral health.

Although for the most part, good dental practices for pregnant women are the same as what all individuals should do, there are a couple of extra things that are important to keep in mind. So, if you’re interested in knowing some of the basic things that you should put into practice as it specifically relates to your teeth and gums, please read on.

Brush and floss after every meal. The most effective way to keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth is to make it a practice to brush and floss after every single meal. There used to be a time when using the kind of toothpaste that didn’t have fluoride in it was not even an option; however, as people are becoming aware of some of the potential health risks that come with fluoride, some are making their own toothpaste. You can find an effective homemade toothpaste recipe by going to Wellness Mama and putting “how to make natural toothpaste” in the search field. You can read about the risks related to fluoride by going to FluorideAlert.org or Health.gov and putting “fluoride risks” in the search field. (Be sure to discuss these potential risks with your dentist.)

Eat a healthy diet. One thing that you’re going to hear your doctor and your dentist say a lot throughout your pregnancy is that it’s imperative that you eat a healthy diet at all times. That way, both you and your baby can get all of the vitamins and nutrients that are needed. As it specifically relates to your oral health, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, dairy products like cheese and unsweetened yogurt, lean meats, and also foods that are high in folic acid including asparagus, papaya, oranges and grains such as whole wheat pasta and rice.

Drink plenty of water. Something else that you and your baby are going to need plenty of is water. Not only will it help to keep your body fully hydrated at all times, but water also helps you produce saliva, which can ultimately help to hinder tooth decay. That’s why you should make sure to keep a bottle of room temperature water around you at all times. And when you do happen to drink fruit juice or soda (try and keep the soda down to a minimum due to the sugar content), follow it up with a glass of water. That will help to flush out your system – from head to toe.

Be aware of signs of gingivitis. Suppose that you live in the Dallas area and you decided to speak with a dentist in Arlington about something else that you should keep in mind as a pregnant woman when it comes to your oral health. One thing that they might recommend is that you pay extra special attention to if your gums are swollen or bleeding. Although that’s usually an automatic sign of gum disease that’s due to oral neglect, it’s actually fairly common for healthy pregnant women to go through changes in their body that lead to gingivitis. Being that it’s a condition that can ultimately result in a myriad of other health issues, if your gums are puffy, if there is a change in their color, or if you happen to notice blood whenever you brush your teeth, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you possibly can.

See your dentist twice a year. When you’re not pregnant, it’s a good idea to see your dentist on an annual basis. But when you are pregnant, seeing him during your first trimester and again during your third can help him to better monitor your oral health. If you don’t already have a dentist and you’d like some tips on how to find a reputable one within your area, visit MouthHealthy.org and put “find a dentist” in the search field.