You will be surprised to know that oral care is directly linked with pregnancy. Your dental health matters the most when you are pregnant as it highly impacts your child’s health in the womb. When you are pregnant, it becomes your responsibility to ensure that your dental hygiene is not suffering from any issues. Otherwise, it will lead to bad health for the child. In this article, we detail the oral care before, during, and after pregnancy that any woman who wishes to conceive or has conceived must follow.
During pregnancy, your body goes through a number of changes that may directly or indirectly influence your oral health. For example, the hormonal changes during pregnancy may increase the chances of developing gum disease. Gum diseases during pregnancy may affect the health of the growing fetus. So, how else can dental health affect your pregnancy? Read the article to know more.
In This Article
- Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy
- Why Should You go For a Dental Check-up Before Getting Pregnant?
- Oral Care Before, During, And After Pregnancy
- Dental X-rays: Are They Safe?
- FAQ’s
Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you are probably brushing for two, yourself and your baby. However, it might be a challenge to maintain good dental hygiene during pregnancy. Why? Because during pregnancy a woman feels laziness which gives a rise to susceptible oral diseases.
Oral diseases such as cavities in the gums, swollen gums, and even inflamed gums might increase the risk factors for both the child and the mother.
Ignoring dental issues might lead to some issues such as gingivitis and periodontitis which might make your pregnancy difficult. Hence, brushing your teeth regularly is the only solution available. You can even switch yourself to a calcium-rich diet as it will help you in keeping your dental health good during pregnancy.
Why Should You go For a Dental Check-up Before Getting Pregnant?
The dental hygiene and oral health of the expecting mother decide the dental future of the baby. When you plan to have a baby, it is necessary to go for a dental check-up as this will probably decide the dental health of the baby. As most of the focus will be on your pregnancy probably for the next 9 months, now is the time for you to get your dental check-up done.
Before you get pregnant, your dental health must be in the best state and hence you might not be having some issues or medications for dental health while you’re pregnant. This might adversely affect the baby. Hence get all types of tests or treatments required to curb your dental health before beginning your pregnancy.
Oral Care Before, During, And After Pregnancy
Consulting a dentist for women before getting pregnant is necessary. We have outlined how to keep your dental health in place before, during, and after the pregnancy period. Have a look and book an appointment accordingly
Oral And Dental Care Before Pregnancy
Your dental health needs to be examined before you get pregnant. That is why you must schedule an appointment with the dentist before or at the very initial stage of pregnancy. This way your teeth will be professionally cleaned, any cavities will be properly examined and cleaned off and if there are some other oral health issues, the dentist will resolve them for you.
Oral And Dental Care During Pregnancy
While you are pregnant, you must make regular visits to the dentist. Why? Because the dentist will then examine your oral health and update all the oral medications which you need to take. Not just this, the dentist would also guide you about the meal plans which you must follow to avoid dental problems.
Oral And Dental Care After Pregnancy
After your pregnancy phase is over, it is now important to address those unnoticed issues at the time of your pregnancy. Do not delay them anymore, otherwise, the situation might get worse.
Dental X-rays: Are They Safe?
Yes, X-rays help identify and diagnose any issues going on with your teeth, gums, and even the bones in your mouth. It is important to note that X-rays contain radiations that might be unsafe for pregnant women. Radiations can be harmful to your health and hence if you get too much exposure to them, they might lead to complications in your pregnancy.
However, dental X-rays do not have many side effects during pregnancy. This is because dental X-rays do use a very less amount of radiation and additionally, the dentist helps by covering you and your baby with a special apron that protects your baby from any harmful radiation.
Do not hide the fact that you’re pregnant from your dentist. This will help them take any necessary precautions to keep you and your fetus safe during pregnancy.
Whether you are planning to get pregnant or already are, consult your gynaecologist before heading over to your dentist. Also letting your dentist know about your planned pregnancy or current pregnancy will help them decide whether the X-rays and treatment are essential or can wait until after you have delivered.
Oral or dental health plays a vital role in conception and pregnancy health. Knowing how to take care of your oral health before, during, and after pregnancy is a vital aspect to ensure that you and your baby stay safe during pregnancy, and you take care of any neglected dental issues after delivery when appropriate
FAQ’s
1. Can I go to The Dentist in my First Trimester?
Routine dental health check-ups can be done at any time during pregnancy. If the situation is worse, you might even go with any urgent procedure too. However, if there are some complex procedures that may affect the pregnancy, your dentist may decide to postpone it until after you give birth.
2. Can You go to The Dentist While Trying to Get Pregnant?
Yes, of course. If you are trying to get pregnant, you need to intimidate your doctor as well as your dentist that you are looking for assistance. Even though you are not pregnant, you must take some tests as a precautionary measure. Undergoing X-ray tests is a safe play at this point.
3. Does Tooth Infection Affect Fertility?
Tooth decay and even gum disease are closely linked with women’s fertility. Poor oral health and dental conditions may delay conception by affecting fertility.
