Pregnancy is one of the gifted times in a woman’s life. The woman’s body undergoes so many changes in a short period of time; sometimes it can be even overwhelming. One should not forget the mouth also undergoes multiple transformations as a result of hormonal changes. At this time, oral health is essential to overall health for the mother as well as the growing child.
CDC has recommended thorough oral hygiene during the pregnancy and the consequences of not maintaining the same.
1. During Pregnancy, women may be more prone to gum disease and cavities
2. A mother’s oral health status is a string predictor of her child’s oral health status.
3. If mothers have high levels of untreated cavities, their children are 3x more likely to have cavities.
Here are the 5 important tips to take care of your oral health during pregnancy.
1. Proper Brushing:
Morning sickness could cause you to consider about brushing. However, it's crucial to continue brushing two times daily. If you struggle with gagging or taste sensitivity, attempt utilizing a children’s toothbrush and toothpaste with a lighter flavour.
a) Brush your teeth twice on a usual with a soft-bristled brush
b) Replace your toothbrush three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are worn.
c) It is advised to use fluoridated toothpaste.
2. Flossing:
If you got any food particles stuck between your teeth want to get it removed immediately, it might urge you to use what so ever objects you have handy to cleanse it. Instead, it will be better to use oral hygiene aids designed for cleansing between teeth like Dental floss, little brushes (interdental brushes) that reach between the teeth and water flossers.
How to floss:
1. Use regarding eighteen inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite finger.
2. Hold the floss gently between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth.
3. Curve the floss into a “C” type against the side of the tooth.
4. Rub the floss gently up and down, keeping it ironed against the tooth. Don’t jerk or snap the floss
5. Floss all of your teeth. Also, floss behind your back teeth.
3. Limit Sugars:
You may also have cravings for the food items that might cause damage to your teeth very badly, such as sugar containing foods and drinks that are carbonated (such as orange or other fruit juice), which acts as a risk factor for tooth decay and erosion. To overcome these unnecessary complications on your teeth:
Sugar restricted diet
Frequent intake of water.
Rinse your mouth between meals.
4. Take Your Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins will help to improve your dental health and your baby's growth. When pregnant, the body needs more calcium. A deficiency of calcium can cause decay in your teeth. During pregnancy, the daily intake of prenatal vitamins containing calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins or minerals helps keep your teeth healthy.
5. Visit your dentist regularly:
For maintaining a good oral hygiene, one can even start visiting your dentist prior to conception. This acts as a gateway for you to enter into your pregnancy period with a good oral health. During the pregnancy, it is recommended to visit your dentist and get a thorough dental check-up.
Regular dental visits are safe during the entire pregnancy and any treatment procedures can be scheduled during the second and third trimesters.
Don’t panic if you face any symptoms like
1. Bleeding while brushing,
2. Bad breath,
3. Redness and swollen gums,
4. When you feel difficulty in chewing.
Hormonal changes can bring out these symptoms in pregnant women. It is always better to visit a dentist and get them treated as soon as possible.
Last but not the least,
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