It can be easy to overlook your oral health during pregnancy what with everything else going on. But it is more important than ever to take care of your teeth and gums during this time. Changing hormone levels that occur with pregnancy can make some dental conditions worse. Furthermore, babies’ teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth month of pregnancy – if your mouth is healthy, it’s more likely that your baby’s mouth will be healthy.
A couple of oral health concerns are unique to pregnancy:
Some women develop “pregnancy gingivitis,” which is an inflammation of the gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to gum disease, so it is important to check in with your dentist.
A small number of women develop pregnancy tumors on their gums, usually in the third trimester. These are non-cancerous growths that usually disappear once the baby is born. If they bother you, your dentist can remove them for you.
As always, regular brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash should be a priority, as should avoiding sugar-laden foods. Remember, your oral health during pregnancy is related to your whole body’s health – and therefore the health of your baby!