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ORAL HEALTH CARE IN PREGNANCY

During pregnancy, it is as essential to care for your oral health as your physical health. The hormone changes in pregnancy make your oral health prone to gum infections that can cause premature birth or other complications. Hence it is crucial to nurture special care to your oral health before, during and after your pregnancy and never miss out on the dental checkups. Here is a quick guide on how to render good oral health care in pregnancy.  

ORAL HEALTH ISSUES DURING PREGNANCY 

1.GUM DISEASES 

The hormonal changes during pregnancy cause gum inflammation, rendering them tender and reddish. You can identify Gingivitis by the signs of unhealthy gums like red, swollen and tender gums. Nearly 60% to 75% of women develop Gingivitis gum disease during pregnancy. If Gingivitis is left untreated, it infects the gums badly and weakens the bones that support the teeth. Eventually, Gingivitis leads to a severe form of gum disease known as Periodontitis, in which the bones that support the teeth get lost, and the gums also loosen their hold from the teeth. It further leads to the loosening of teeth that get extracted eventually. The gum diseases during pregnancy harm the baby, causing premature birth at around 32 weeks and lower birth weight.   

2.DENTAL CAVITIES 

Pregnancy changes eating habits, and some women develop cravings for sweets or snacks. Improper eating habits and the presence of a lot of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth form severe dental cavities. Women having a lot of bacteria in the mouth during pregnancy transmit them to the child after birth. These children are more likely to develop cavities in childhood and suffer from severe dental issues.  

3.PREGNANCY TUMORS IN THE MOUTH 

Women also tend to develop tumors in the mouth during the second trimester. These are not non-cancerous tumors but swollen lumps on the gums. These tumors are an extreme inflammatory reaction to the local irritations like food particles or plaque that form large lumps on the gums. These tumors are nothing to be afraid of and go away after the delivery. However, if you experience trouble while chewing the food, the dentist removes these tumors via a painless procedure. 

HOW TO NOURISH GOOD CARE FOR ORAL HEALTH IN PREGNANCY? 

• Follow a strict daily dental routine that includes regular brushing and flossing your teeth to remove the plaque and harmful bacteria from the mouth. 
• Due to mood swings and cravings for a certain food, you might be consuming too much sugary or acidic foods. Make sure you rinse your mouth well with an antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent the sticking of foods and remove the excess acids from the mouth.  
• Do not skip your dental checkup routine because of pregnancy. This is the time you highly require frequent dental visits to keep a check on the oral plaque because the hormonal changes during pregnancy make the mouth prone to gum diseases. 
• Professional dental cleanings are a must during pregnancy to remove plaque and tartar. 

• When you visit the dentist, inform them about your pregnancy and also, inform them of the drugs and medicines you consume for better treatment. 
• Any urgent dental procedure like removal of the oral tumor can be done, but if it’s nothing urgent, you can skip the dental procedures until the delivery. 
• Have a healthy diet; eat foods that are good for your teeth and avoid acidic foods and drinks that spoil your dental health. 
• Drink plenty of water and keep your mouth hydrated to prevent dry mouth. The dry mouth harbors harmful bacteria in the mouth that spoil oral health.  

During the pregnancy, nourish extra care to your oral health as you ought to care for both your health and the child’s health. Visit our dental clinic, The Elite Dental Care, the best dental care in Tracy, California for your regular dental visits, dental cleaning and painless dental procedures.