Brushing for two: Top five tips for oral care during pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time. With so much to think about and consider, it can be easy to forget about your oral health. However, this is one of the most important times in your life to maintain a good oral care routine.
You're not imagining it – your mouth really does feel different during pregnancy! Surging hormones, especially increased progesterone, make your gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation. This means plaque buildup can cause bleeding, swelling, and even pregnancy gingivitis.
As dentists, we get asked so many questions about looking after your oral care during pregnancy on our Q&A’s on Instagram so we put together a list of our top tips for you:
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Schedule in appointments with your hygienist
Once you discover that you’re pregnant, book in an appointment with your hygienist for advice and a deep clean. We recommend going to see your dentist every three months throughout your pregnancy. It's understandable to have concerns about dental care while pregnant. However, routine cleanings, fillings, and even pain management are considered safe and essential.
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Invest in a sonic toothbrush
Brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with a sonic brush will make sure you’re getting a really good clean and avoid plaque from building up. Let the toothbrush do the work for you.
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Don’t forget to floss!
The best way to prevent or deal with gum problems is to practise good oral hygiene and to try and reduce inflammation in the gums. It is very important that you floss every day and use clinically proven active ingredients that address this issue. Avoid using an alcohol-based mouthwash as this is drying for the oral tissues.
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Rinse your mouth with water after experiencing morning sickness
Unfortunately suffering from regular morning sickness can cause erosion of the tooth enamel due to the increased amount of acid in your mouth. Sipping water throughout the day can help to dilute stomach acid in your mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help to stimulate saliva production, which naturally combats acid. Our recommendation would be to wait at least an hour before brushing after experiencing morning sickness, as this gives your tooth enamel a chance to re-strengthen after being temporarily softened by acid.
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Feel confident in your smile
You can continue to use our whitening toothpaste when pregnant to maintain that beautiful smile. It contains fluoride which will help prevent tooth decay.
While some of the oral health challenges of pregnancy subside after delivery, others might linger. Plus, with the demands of a newborn, it's easy to neglect your own needs. Make time for regular dental checkups after becoming a parent – maintaining good oral health now sets the stage for easier dental care later when life gets even busier.
