Pregnancy, Oral Health & Healthy Babies

Taking care of your baby starts long before they are born. It includes taking care of you before and during your pregnancy. You already know a healthy lifestyle is important for your little one’s health, but did you know that taking care of your mouth is too?

One of the biggest concerns during pregnancy is gum disease, often called gingivitis or periodontal disease. It is a bacterial infection in your gums and has been linked to pre-term and low birth weight babies.

The ironic twist is that you have a higher risk of developing gum problems when you are pregnant due to hormonal changes or morning sickness. Be sure to be on the lookout for bleeding gums, swelling or irritations in your mouth and call your dentist if you notice anything. Other dental problems and infections need to be addressed quickly as well.

During pregnancy it is especially important to:

• Be consistent with brushing and flossing daily
• Stay up to date with dental exams, professional cleanings and recommended treatment
• 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. It is likely you already have some level of gum disease.

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 to prevent dental emergencies during your pregnancy.

Taking care of your oral health during pregnancy is one of the best gifts you can give your little one, and yourself. You will have peace of mind and feel confident you are doing all you can to ensure your baby is healthy when you welcome it into our world.

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!

KN Dentistry – Orange, CA – (714) 633-2562