How Can I Take Care of My Dental Health During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a time that brings many changes to your body. Some of those changes are caused by hormones and some are a direct result of the physical changes that are happening inside your body. One of the most important things to know about pregnancy is what’s going on in your mouth and how to maintain good oral health. Read on as a Midtown Miami, FL dentist offers up some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy.

Pregnancy’s Effects on Dental/Oral Health

While you’re pregnant, your body is going through a lot of changes. Your hormones are all over the place, and you probably feel like you’re running on fumes. You can’t even imagine how much more stressful it would be if you had to deal with dental problems while pregnant!

Fortunately, there are ways to take care of your dental health during pregnancy.

Here’s what happens when you don’t take care of your dental health during pregnancy:

• You might get cavities in your teeth because the enamel on them gets thinner as you carry an increasing number of baby-making cells around in your body.
• You could develop gum disease because all that extra saliva makes it easier for bacteria to grow in your mouth without being washed away by saliva or water.
• And if you don’t get regular checkups, you might not notice a problem until it’s too late—and then you’ll end up with major issues like tooth loss or even heart disease!

Dental Care Tips During Pregnancy

• Floss regularly – You should floss at least once in two days to remove food particles from between the teeth and prevent gum disease. If you are unable to do it yourself, then ask someone else to help you. You can also use an interdental cleaner or an electric toothbrush with flossing action on the tip of the brush head for cleaning between teeth.
• Brush your teeth twice daily – Brush your teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste for about two minutes each time without fail as this will prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Also, brush gently as hard brushing can damage enamel and make gums bleed too easily especially when they are swollen due to pregnancy hormones such as estrogen and progesterone (which increase blood flow).
• Use mouthwash – Swish mouthwash for about 30 seconds after brushing your teeth so that it reaches all areas where plaque-causing bacteria may have settled down like around the gum line, tongue
• Eat healthy – You should also make sure that you’re eating a healthy diet during pregnancy. This is because an unhealthy diet can lead to tooth decay and cavities.
• Get regular dental checkups 

If you have more questions or wish to schedule a dental wellness checkup, please feel free to call our Midtown Miami, Fl dentist office today.