How Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy Affect Your Oral Health
During pregnancy, your body undergoes changes that can impact your oral health. These changes lead to the release of hormones within the body that can impact your day-to-day life in numerous ways. To help you understand more about your dental care requirements during pregnancy, our team explains the hormone changes that impact your oral health.
Increased Chance of Gingivitis
The hormone changes that take place during pregnancy put you at higher risk of experiencing pregnancy gingivitis. During this time, hormonal changes may cause inflammation of the gum tissues. Additionally, your gums will also become more sensitive to plaque. It’s important to counteract this issue by scheduling regular appointments with your dentist. If not monitored, this could potentially lead to periodontitis. Pregnancy gingivitis most often affects women between the third and final month of pregnancy.
Increased Risk of Tooth Decay
Pregnant women are at a higher risk for tooth decay and cavities for a number of reasons. Eating more carbohydrates and sugars than usual can cause decay. It’s recommended to brush twice and floss twice a day. In a few short months, you can experience significant tooth decay if you’re not visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Speak with your dentist about refining your treatment plan to meet the oral health challenges of pregnancy, and ensure you’re getting the nutrients you require to limit the impact of hormonal changes.
Increased Acidity Can Erode Enamel
During pregnancy, you’re more likely to experience acid-related oral health issues. For example, morning sickness can cause acid to erode your tooth enamel. By working with your dentist throughout your pregnancy, you can minimize the impact of acidity on your oral health, and ensure you’re maintaining your teeth effectively.
How to Care for Your Teeth
Oral care is an important part of your pregnancy. To avoid the above problems, there are a number of ways you can care for your teeth:
- Increase your intake of vitamins A, C, and D, as well as protein, calcium, and phosphorous
- Satisfy pregnancy cravings with foods that are low in sugar
- Rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water to mitigate the effects of stomach acid
Dental care during pregnancy is a critical consideration. To discover more on the impact that hormonal changes will have on your oral health during these nine months, speak with our team today.