Pregnancy and Baby Teeth

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Whether this is your first or fourth baby, the emotions you feel are usually the same – elation, fear, joy, disbelief, apprehension, bliss. There are plenty of concerns along with the realization that you’re now living your life for two and you may need to change a few habits because of the ways in which they might affect your unborn child.

Eating healthy foods and proper dental care are especially important in the development of your baby’s teeth.

Did you know that what you eat and drink during your pregnancy and your oral hygiene affect the teeth of your unborn child? Well, they do, and the effects could be profound!

Your Pregnancy and Dental Health

It’s important to keep to your daily dental hygiene routine and to stay on schedule with your dental check-ups during your pregnancy.

Dental procedures and techniques pose no threats to your unborn child and you shouldn’t have any concern about coming in for your routine exam. Even X-rays are safe, given the low level of radiation they emit; however, please be sure to mention that you are pregnant when you come in.

It’s important to have your gums checked for inflammation or infection during your pregnancy because women with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to deliver too early or to have a low birth weight baby.

Many women report the presence of bleeding and/or inflammation of the gums during pregnancy; this may be related to hormonal changes or to increased blood flow throughout the body because of the pregnancy.

Ways to Keep Teeth and Gums Healthy During Your Pregnancy

There are many things that you can do to ensure the health of your teeth and gums during your pregnancy. These include:

• Brush twice and floss once daily.
• Eat a healthy diet – cut back on sweets, sugars and carbs that lend themselves to tooth decay.
• Increase your dietary intake of Vitamins A, C and D and foods rich in calcium, protein and phosphorous. Your baby’s teeth begin to develop during the second trimester of your pregnancy; Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to tooth enamel defects in developing teeth, making your child far more susceptible to tooth decay.
• If you experience morning (or night) sickness, flush your mouth out with water.
• Resolve any necessary dental condition during the second trimester, if possible, in order to avoid the build up of bacteria and infection; leave any elective procedure until after the baby is born.

Questions?

To schedule a checkup during your pregnancy, give a participating dentist near you a call and let them in on your happy news! They’ll schedule a visit where you’ll be pampered with that extra special care every mother-to-be deserves!