Dental Issues And Solutions Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

Dr. Gordon Tam • June 24, 2019

 

Every woman is excited to see their newborn. During pregnancy, some sail through happily, while some suffer some forms of discomfort. There are no doubt hormonal changes that every pregnant woman will experience, and one of them is dental issues.

 

- Gum bleeding and swelling (gingivitis)
- Excessive gastric reflux or morning sickness (nausea & vomiting)
- Increased risk of tooth decay

Dental disease can affect a developing baby in the womb. We placed great emphasis and importance on maintaining dental health for our pregnant patients. Gum disease is one of the most common problems during pregnancy.

 

As hormone levels change during pregnancy, their gums swell and get easily inflamed (gingivitis - gum inflammation). Gum swelling and bleeding are commonly seen during brushing and flossing. If these symptoms persist and are not diagnosed, they may worsen and lead to loss of a tooth.

 

We teach our pregnant patients how to brush gently yet meticulously to help reduce plaque accumulation. That will help lessen gum swelling and bleeding.

 

Many pregnant women also experience nausea and vomiting. Gastric reflux and vomiting are commonly noticed with morning sickness. These stomach acids can potentially cause damage to your teeth enamel. You must also avoid brushing your teeth immediately as these acids that are covering your teeth, with the brushing action, may cause abrasion and scratch your teeth's surface.

 

When that happens, we strongly suggest that you rinse and gargle your mouth with clear water only to clear off any remnants and those stomach acids that are covering your mouth and teeth.

 

During pregnancy, you may have a change in your usual diet and tend to crave for sugary foods and snacks. As such, these factors contribute to the increased risk of tooth decay.

 

We advise using a softer toothbrush and brushing more regularly with toothpaste containing fluoride to help protect against decay.

 

We encourage you to visit your dentist for a check-up every 3 months for your routine dental maintenance appointment during pregnancy.

 

Better dental health, happier baby.

For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.


To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only. 

Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.

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