Being a mommy-to-be comes with a lot of physical sacrifices. During this time, moms are often so concerned about making sure everything is perfect for their unborn child that she may end up neglecting her health. But remember, while you are pregnant, everything you do can affect your unborn child – and that includes your oral health.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage women to keep up with their dental care while pregnant. Throughout their pregnancy, women have hormonal changes that can increase the development of gum disease and affect their developing baby.
Your oral health is our main concern at Foothill Dental Care, especially during your pregnancy. If you are interested in booking an exam during your pregnancy, call Foothill Dental Care in Livermore at (925) 961-5484. to schedule an appointment today. Mouthhealthy.org reports that upwards of roughly half will develop pregnancy gingivitis, which is a mild form of gum disease. It is most common between the second and eighth months of pregnancy and goes away after pregnancy since hormones make your teeth and gums more susceptible to plaque.
The American Pregnancy Association writes that preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are safe and recommended. While the best thing to do is wait until after your pregnancy to get procedures done, sometimes dental work cannot wait. Root canals and tooth extractions, for example, are essential to do as soon as they occur. These procedures include the use of x-rays, which are safe during pregnancy when the appropriate protection is used.
The dentists at Foothill Dental Care in Livermore understand how stressful pregnancy can be on mothers emotionally and physically. Here is a shortlist of guidelines from the ADA to hopefully lead you in the right direction when keeping up your oral hygiene during your pregnancy.
- Let your dentist know you are pregnant
- Eat a balanced diet
- Brush your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
- Floss daily
- Have preventive exams and cleaning during pregnancy
- Postpone non-emergency work until the second trimester or delivery
- Maintain healthy circulation while you sit in the dentist’s chair
- Use a pillow to help keep you and your little one comfortable
As dentists at Foothill Dental Care, our goal is to help our patients prevent diseases. And prevention starts with educating them on the importance of positive oral hygiene and how to maintain it. And we know that this is especially important during pregnancy. We specialize in dental cleaning procedures and frequently perform various them daily, so you can rest assured that your treatment will be performed by a skilled and experienced medical professional.
If you have not been to our office in a while, it may be time for teeth cleaning; call our Livermore at (925) 961-5484. to schedule an appointment.