The top priority for (expectant) mothers is the well-being of their baby and this means that they need to take special care of themselves. You should definitely not neglect dental care. More and more scientists agree that oral health and overall health are linked. Due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, the requirements for dental care may also change.
First, pregnant women are more prone to plaque buildup due to the hormonal changes the body experiences during pregnancy. If the plaque is not thoroughly removed, it can lead to tooth decay and/or inflammation of the gums and, in the next step, periodontitis. Studies suggest that pregnant women with untreated gum disease are at increased risk of miscarriage. A good reason to pay even more attention to oral hygiene during pregnancy.
Due to the increased production of estrogen, the gums also receive more blood supply and bleeding gums can occur. In addition, saliva is more acidic during pregnancy and is therefore more likely to attack the protective tooth enamel.
Before pregnancy
If you want to have children and family planning is urgent, dental care can be included directly in the planning in order to minimize the risk of oral diseases during pregnancy.
It's best to talk to your dentist before you get pregnant. Any existing problems can be dealt with in advance. Among other things, the dentist will examine your gums for swelling or bleeding, look for untreated tooth decay, cavities, mucous membrane lesions or possible signs of infection or trauma.
The dentist will advise you on what you should pay attention to when caring for your teeth during pregnancy and also make individual recommendations based on your dental history. This way you are prepared for possible dental problems in advance and can take immediate action if they occur.
During pregnancy
Once the good news is confirmed, there will be a few things to look out for to ensure your and your baby's health so that you can enjoy a happy and healthy pregnancy. When it comes to your oral care, there are things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. After the positive pregnancy test, you should make another appointment with your dentist, as some time may have passed since the last conversation before the pregnancy.
Please pay particular attention to thorough oral hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, with a soft toothbrush. It's better to change the toothbrush every now and then to make sure that there aren't too many germs on the bristles. With special antibacterial toothbrushes you don't have to worry about this. Coating the bristles with gold or silver prevents bacteria from depositing on the brush. Toothpastes with or without fluoride developed for pregnant women contain ingredients such as aloe vera, tannins or amino acids that target the specific oral hygiene requirements during pregnancy.
If you are struggling with nausea, please make sure not to brush your teeth immediately after vomiting but to rinse your mouth out so that your stomach acid cannot attack the tooth enamel. If you absolutely cannot do without brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth particularly thoroughly.
Healthy nutrition is particularly important for healthy teeth and is an overall key to your baby's health. Avoid foods that contain processed sugar. Of course, a piece of cake or generally something sweet every now and then is not forbidden, but a vitamin-rich diet made up of vegetables, fruits and grains is generally recommended. Discuss with your gynecologist whether your diet provides you and your baby with important nutrients such as folic acid.
After birth
Once the baby is here, the world turns upside down. Nevertheless, you shouldn't forget everything and always think about yourself and your own health. Because the young generation also benefits from this. Dental care in particular should not be neglected. Pregnancy may have affected your oral flora more than you think.
Continue to go to the dentist regularly and find out when you should pay attention to your baby's oral care. At the latest when the first teeth appear, you should make sure that you have the right products for baby dental care at home.
