Things You Need To Know About Oral Health And Pregnancy
Has it ever occurred to you that your oral hygiene and pregnancy are interrelated? Researches and studies have revealed that expecting women who ignore oral hygiene are more likely to develop gum diseases. And the condition of your gums has a close possibility of directly affecting the health of your baby. It can also cause a preterm birth. Therefore, getting an oral check-up done during pregnancy is very essential. So, while you may be busy with your hospital visits, don’t miss out on visiting the dentist too.
During pregnancy, your body releases certain hormones to activate labour. There hormones are very similar to those released in response to an infection. Therefore, pregnancy is definitely a time to take additional care of your enamels and gums, because your dental health directly affects your unborn child’s general and oral health.
Even a mouth infection can put your baby’s health at jeopardy causing lifelong conditions like lingering lung disease, cerebral palsy and in some extreme cases, even death. In fact, expecting mothers with gum infections are six times more at risk of delivering their baby earlier than women with healthy gums. Developing a condition of gum inflammation called gingivitis caused due to alterations in hormones is also very common during pregnancy.
Likewise, it is vital for pregnant women to free themselves from plaque, which is related to premature delivery and low birth weight. While regularly visiting a dentist is of prime importance, an effective way to get rid of the dental plaque is to develop the habit of regular flossing at least twice a day.
Oral Care Tips
- Make it a point to brush and floss your teeth post meals
- Avoid binging on sweets that are high in refined sugars
- In case you have morning sickness, rinse your teeth carefully after puking, as it will decrease the danger of cavities
- It’s common for pregnant women to experience bleeding and swelling in the gums while brushing and flossing teeth. These issues usually get cleared after the birth of the baby. But in case the problem persists, it’s best you get it checked by your dentist