It is common for people to visit their dental clinic in W1 regularly for a check-up, but do you know how important it is to see your dental practitioner if you are pregnant? The condition of your teeth and gums can be affected by pregnancy hormones from early on in your pregnancy, so it is a good idea to book a consultation appointment if you have discovered that you are expecting.
You can get through your whole pregnancy without suffering from your oral hygiene, however, every person is an individual and will have different experiences with their teeth when they are pregnant. If you notice that your gums have become redder than usual or swollen, or you are experiencing pain, it is time to consult your dentist and discover the root of the problem.
Pregnancy gingivitis
If you find that your gums have become inflamed and red, then these could be signs that you are suffering from pregnancy gingivitis. Sometimes you may notice that when you brush your teeth your gums are sensitive and potentially bleed. This normally will not happen until after you have gone through your second month of pregnancy.
Your hormones change dramatically when you are pregnant, and your progesterone levels can be increased by up to ten times their normal rate. This changes how your mouth responds to toxins when there is plaque build-up, meaning that when you have fluctuating levels of hormones you are more susceptible to developing problems such as gingivitis and other periodontal related diseases.
If you think that you are suffering from pregnancy gingivitis or you are experiencing symptoms but are unsure of what is wrong, you should book an appointment to see your dental practitioner sooner rather than later so they can address the issues. They will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth and be able to help treat any problems. Seeing your dentist sooner will prevent your problems from getting any worse and it will also decrease your chances of needing more extensive treatment in the future.
Pregnancy can affect your teeth in several ways
It is not only pregnancy gingivitis that you can suffer from when expecting a child. There is a range of tooth problems related to pregnancy, so if you are experiencing discomfort or pain it could be a variety of things that are causing it.
Suffering from severe morning sickness can cause tooth erosion, as vomit damages the enamel of your teeth, especially the backs of your front teeth. This is something that is difficult to avoid during pregnancy, but you can ask your dentist how to protect your enamel as much as possible. In addition to this, you should never brush your teeth straight away if you have been sick, as the acid will just help to erode your teeth.
Lots of pregnant women suffer from having a dry mouth too, but this is easier to combat. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your mouth moist and avoiding sugary sweets and foods will help eradicate any dryness that you are experiencing. On the flip side of this, some women will find that they feel as if they have too much saliva in their mouths. Generally, this feeling is associated with morning sickness, and usually it will go away after the first three months of your pregnancy have passed.