Finding out you are pregnant can be a very joyous occasion and it usually means that there is a lot of planning and prepping to do in the immediate future. Very quickly, the focus shifts from the soon-to-be Mom, to the baby that is on it’s way. While this is a necessary thing, there are some things that the Mom could and should be doing to take care of herself in the process, and your oral health is a big one!
Many women think that they can’t go to the dentist while they are pregnant or that their teeth are just going to suffer and that’s the way it is. That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is true is that the combination of hormones a woman experiences during pregnancy put her at a greater risk for periodontal issues and that pregnant women should visit a dentist and pay extra attention to taking care of their mouth.
New research is suggesting more and more frequently that bacteria that can live in your mouth and gums are related to many diseases, and can even negatively affect pregnancy.
A recent article published in the International Journal of Health Sciences reported that “Robust evidence shows the association of periodontal diseases with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. … Periodontitis is related to maternal infection, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia.”
While this study is pretty scientific and technical, what it comes down to is that pregnant women should be seeing their dentist during their pregnancy and evaluating the health of their gums. At Grand Avenue Dental Care, we are familiar with the signs and symptoms of the bacteria that can cause gum disease and potentially harm your unborn baby. We also have several treatments and methods that we can use to get the bacteria under control, which will benefit both your health and the health of your unborn baby
For more information on how to best take care of your teeth when pregnant, check out this article from mouthhealthy.org!
We want what is best for all of our patients at all stages of life. Being pregnant is a very exciting, and constantly changing, time for soon-to-be moms. It’s easy to forget about yourself and put all of the focus on the new baby-to-be, but we want to encourage all pregnant women to come and see us while they are pregnant. It’s important for both you and your baby!