Pregnancy hormones and morning sickness can affect oral health, which is why it’s important to continue seeing your dentist. It is important to keep your teeth healthy at all times. If you have any questions or concerns about dental care during pregnancy, don't hesitate to contact us.
While we understand being concerned for the health of your unborn child, skipping your appointment or ignoring tooth pain can do more harm than good. Continue reading to learn more about why a trip to our Gahanna dentist dentist is perfectly safe during pregnancy.
Going to the dentist while pregnant is safe and is recommended by the American Dental Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. While pregnant, you have a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. It’s also true that your oral health is connected to the overall health of you and your baby.
When you vomit, the stomach acid wears away the natural enamel on your teeth. As a result, you may have sensitive teeth or cavities during pregnancy. Each pregnancy is different. If you’re having oral health issues, our dentist will be able to determine if morning sickness plays a role. In general, we recommend you wait 30 minutes after vomiting to brush your teeth. That way, your tooth enamel has enough time to recover after being exposed to stomach acid.
Pregnancy hormones can increase your risk of early gum disease (gingivitis), especially during the second trimester. If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or sore, you’re not alone. According to WebMD.com, 40% of pregnant women develop gingivitis. Likewise, if you already had gum disease before pregnancy, you may notice your symptoms getting worse.
Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by hormone fluctuations that increase blood flow to your gums. These hormones may also affect your body’s ability to fight dental plaque. Since you’re at an increased risk for gum disease, it’s important to continue seeing your dentist. We’ll be able to help you mitigate the effects of pregnancy gingivitis so you can maintain good oral health.
Let our dentist know if you’re pregnant or suspect you might be. We take extra precautions during your dentist appointment to ensure the safety of you and your unborn child. For example, we may postpone certain dental procedures if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
While a dental exam and teeth cleaning are safe at any point of your pregnancy, you’ll want to avoid major procedures during the first trimester. However, your dentist may recommend urgent dental care for an abscess tooth or other oral health emergency where there is risk of infection.
During pregnancy, we are still able to take some dental x-rays. The radiation from dental x-rays is perfectly safe for you and the baby and allows our dentist to see what is happening inside your mouth. We share your concern for a healthy pregnancy, which is why we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Baker DDS and her team are dedicated to helping you maintain good oral health by providing preventive dentistry services. To schedule your appointment with our Gahanna dentist, call Pure Dental at (614) 475-7580.