Pregnancy and Dental Care

Dental health is always important, but when you are building a tiny human, this can take a toll on not only your physical health but also your oral health. Have you been avoiding the dentist because you’re worried about having x-rays or worried about whether we have anesthetics safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? The good news a lot of the time we can use your previous recent x-rays in combination with a clinical exam to ascertain any changes in your oral health, and if in doubt, we can wait until your little bundle of joy is earthside to take some new ones! If you do happen to need treatment while pregnant, like fillings, a crown, or even root canal – we have anesthetics onsite that are safe to use during pregnancy and also post-partum if you’re breastfeeding. 

The demands of pregnancy can lead to particular dental problems in some women. During pregnancy, the hormonal changes can affect your body's response to plaque, which means you experience more inflammation, bleeding gums and gum disease. If you are pregnant and you are noticing changes to your gum health or the way your teeth feel when eating, it’s best to get it checked. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums is quite common during pregnancy and left unchecked can progress to periodontitis. This is more serious and has been linked to prematurity and low birth weight. 

If you are experiencing morning sickness and associated vomiting, this can also lead to erosion of the enamel on your teeth. You might be tempted to brush your teeth after this occurs, but this can cause more harm to the enamel on your teeth. The best thing you can do it to rinse your mouth with water, fluoride containing mouthwash or alternatively chew some sugar free gum, this will help neutralise the acidic pH in the mouth back to a safe level and will assist in keep decay causing bacteria at bay.

Routine dental care can be done any time during pregnancy in addition to any urgent procedures, however the second trimester is the optimal time to conduct these. You are less likely to have dental problems during pregnancy if you already have good oral hygiene habits, so keep up the brushing and flossing! With proper dental hygiene at home and professional help from your dentist, your teeth should stay healthy during pregnancy. Looking for a team that can take care of you and your little one? Give our team a call on 3348 6661 to secure an appointment!