Important Information about Pregnancy and Oral Health

Bringing a baby into the world is a real blessing, but also a responsibility. It’s important to start taking care of your little one before they are even born and the way you do that is by taking care of yourself. You already know that eating right and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important for pregnancy health, but keeping your mouth healthy is important too. 

Some dental issues, like periodontal disease or gingivitis have been linked to pre-term and low birth weight babies. The likely cause is the oral bacteria that are present with these conditions.

Pregnant women are also more at risk for developing gum problems like these. It is important to contact your dentist if you notice any swelling, bleeding, or irritation around your gums. Other dental problems, especially those that might involve infection and bacteria need to be addressed quickly, as well.

If you are expecting a baby, we recommend:

• Be consistent with brushing and flossing daily
• Stay up to date with dental exams and professional teeth cleaning – be sure to let us know you are pregnant and if your doctor has any special recommendations
• If you have morning sickness and vomit, rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in a cup of water afterward to keep the stomach acid from damaging your teeth
• Be alert to any changes in your gums like inflammation or bleeding
• If it has been 6 months or more since you last saw the dentist, schedule an appointment right away

Other things to be aware of include:

Some women develop non-cancerous tumors or growths between their teeth when pregnant. It’s important to have them checked, but most are harmless and will go away after your baby is born.

Routine dental visits and x-rays are usually safe during pregnancy. These guidelines have changed over the years, but we want you to know that we will always follow your Doctor’s recommendations and do what is best for you and your little one.

And lastly, if you are not pregnant yet, but hope to be in the near future, we recommend making sure your mouth is healthy first. It is also important to take care of any tooth challenges that could become dental emergencies during your pregnancy.

Keeping yourself healthy will help you bring a healthy son or daughter into the world and experience all the blessings that babies bring.

If you don’t already have a dentist you love and live in the Orange County area, give us a call. We promise to take great care of you!

714.633.2562 Orange CA