When you’re pregnant, you will do anything and everything you can to keep your baby safe. Something that not all women realize is the impact of pregnancy on your dental health. You may ask how in the world a baby could affect this. We are here to tell you, and we will even offer you some
tips for dental care
during pregnancy in Lexington, Kentucky.
As you know, pregnancy causes the body to change in so many different ways. One of those ways that the body changes, though, is your teeth and gums. When pregnant, there is a lot more blood flowing throughout the body. As a result, you will experience higher hormone levels and more acid in your mouth. Because of this, you may experience more dental health problems than you did when you weren’t pregnant. Some of those problems can include gingivitis, loose teeth, periodontitis, pregnancy tumors (not cancerous!), tooth decay, and tooth loss.
Be sure to keep an eye out for symptoms like:
- Bad breath
- Gums that hurt when touched, or that bleed when you brush your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Mouth sores or lumps/growths
- Off-colored gums, red or red-purple
- Sore, shiny, or swollen gums
- Toothache
This information is not meant to scare you. Preventing these problems is so easy to do, and we are here to help you! One of the main things you should do is keep regular appointments with your dentist. You dentist can help catch problems before they become serious. Oftentimes, pain doesn’t occur until the issue is very serious and much harder to fix, so keep that in mind.
When you do see your dentist, be sure to inform him that you are pregnant and about any over-the-counter medications that you may be taking. This is especially important if your dentist wants to get x-rays of your mouth. When you are pregnant, you should be sure that they protect you with a lead apron and collar around your neck to ensure that you and your baby are kept safe.
Some things you can do at home to prevent dental health problems include, brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, and limiting sweets. If morning sickness is affecting you to the point that you feel too sick and can’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with water and mouthwash to wash away the acid from your sickness.
Heckman Dental
is here to help you achieve the best smile possible. We are committed to providing our clients with the best dental experience possible. We know you want to be the best you can be, so let us help you! Conveniently located in Nicholasville, Kentucky, we proudly provide dental services to all of Lexington, Lancaster, and Danville, Kentucky, as well as Jessamine and Garrard County. Established in 2013, our team is experienced and is sure to provide you with the services you need at an affordable cost. We are happy to treat patients of all ages. You can expect all the comfort and care that we know you deserve.
