Great Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy with Family Dentistry Westfield Loves

Your general health is always important, but it’s especially crucial during pregnancy. Because pregnancy causes certain hormonal changes that can affect your oral health, it may be necessary for you to take a few things into consideration during your pregnancy — and number one is to visit your dentist for an oral checkup when you’re pregnant. Keep reading for more tips on how to maintain your oral health during pregnancy — for the health of you and your baby — from Dr. David M. Weinman, your family dentist in Westfield, NJ.

Pregnancy Affects Oral Health — and Vise Versa

Pregnancy has a significant effect on oral health, and oral health can affect your pregnancy, too — whether it’s negatively or positively depends on how you maintain your teeth during this crucial time. The following are a few things to consider in regards to your teeth during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

When a woman becomes pregnant, a surge of hormones — particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone — causes certain changes in the mouth. As a result, your gums may overreact to the presence of plaque, becoming red, swollen and tender. If it happens to you, don’t worry — it’s a condition we call pregnancy gingivitis, and it affects most pregnant women to some degree. As long as it doesn’t worsen, small signs of pregnancy gingivitis are totally normal. Just make sure you maintain good brushing and flossing habits, and keep it under control by visiting your dentist.

Maintaining Excellent Oral Hygiene Habits During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, it’s more important than ever to maintain those wonderful oral hygiene habits — like brushing for two minutes, twice a day, flossing once a day and visiting your dentist for regular oral checkups.

Skipping the dentist during pregnancy is a bad idea — poor oral hygiene at this crucial time is linked to serious problems, like premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. That’s why professional authorities in the US like the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advise pregnant women to continue their dental care during pregnancy.

Avoid the serious problems linked to poor oral hygiene during pregnancy — schedule a visit with Dr. David Weinman, your family dentist in Westfield, NJ today. For the health of your mouth, your baby and you.