Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Why Visiting Your Dentist While Pregnant is Important

12 December 2019

Duane Kelly

When you're pregnant, taking care of your health becomes more important than ever. One area that requires extra care and attention is your oral health. The physical changes you experience during pregnancy can alter your dental needs. 

Hormones and Gum Disease

When you're pregnant, you produce more of a hormone called progesterone. Progesterone makes it easier for the bacteria that cause gum disease to proliferate. As a result, your gum tissue may become more sensitive to plaque.

If you're already suffering from gum disease, pregnancy is likely to make it worse. Gum disease can lead to conditions such as tooth decay and may cause you to suffer from bad breath. By visiting your dentist regularly during your pregnancy, you can detect gum disease early and tackle it before it becomes a significant issue.

Protecting Your Teeth Against Acid

Morning sickness is a common occurrence amongst pregnant women. Some experience it to the extent that they're vomiting throughout the day. Severe cases, such as hyperemesis, can leave you feeling as though you're constantly vomiting.

Each time a bout of sickness occurs, your teeth will come into contact with the acidic contents of your stomach. This could weaken them over time. By seeing your dentist regularly, you can explore ways of protecting your teeth until your morning sickness passes.

Detecting Pregnancy Tumours

A small number of women develop what dentists refer to as pregnancy tumours. Although pregnancy tumours aren't cancerous, they can feel uncomfortable, and they may cause you to feel concerned. As they have a lot of small blood vessels in them, it's easy to make them bleed when you're brushing your teeth.

In some women, pregnancy tumours will heal spontaneously. But others need to have them removed, especially if they're bleeding when something comes into contact with them. If you have a tumour, it's always worth discussing your treatment options with a dental professional.

Keeping Your Teeth Strong

Your baby will place a lot of demands on your body as they grow. They need to draw calcium from somewhere, which means there's a chance your teeth can weaken.

Although your dentist won't carry out extensive dental work during your pregnancy, it's important to let them track the progress of your teeth. It will give them the chance to plan treatments for the post-natal phase if it's necessary to do so.

With regular dental checkups while you're pregnant, you can protect your oral health. Make sure you maintain consistent appointments in the first year following your pregnancy too, as the effects of pregnancy on your body can continue during that period.

To learn more about prenatal dental services, contact a dentist in your area.

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