Dental Care During Pregnancy

You wouldn't think that you need to care for your teeth differently just because you're pregnant, but a lot of things change while you are pregnant. Your entire body goes through a transformation and your teeth are no different. Your baby takes away a lot of the nutrients from your body to grow, and this can affect your teeth. You may experience things such as tooth sensitivity, cavities, or caries, or you may also notice experience issues such as an inability to brush your teeth. Read on for tips to care for your teeth during your pregnancy.

Brush With Non-Flavored Toothpaste

Morning sickness can give you all types of trouble, and it can make brushing your teeth almost impossible. You do still need to brush your teeth, even if it feels like torture. Try to use non-flavored toothpaste, or you can create your own toothpaste with baking soda and water to create a paste, then brush your teeth with the mixture. This shouldn't be used for too long though, as the baking soda may be too harsh on your teeth. Brushing your tongue can also seem like a problem, so do so slowly and take your time in the morning and at night when brushing your teeth.

Tell Your Dentist You Are Pregnant

If you are due for your yearly x-rays, make sure you tell your dentist ahead of time that you are pregnant. You shouldn't have x-rays while you are pregnant, so be sure you let your dentist know. Also be sure to tell your dentist if you are pregnant, as you may not be able to get through your exam without getting nauseous. Telling your dentist ahead of time can save you some of the extra gagging. Your dentist can also give you some helpful tips about tooth care while you are pregnant.

Take A Multivitamin

A pregnancy multivitamin can help you get the vitamins and minerals you need throughout your pregnancy and it can also help your teeth as well. Calcium is needed during pregnancy to keep your baby healthy and it's also necessary for your teeth. This is especially true if you aren't getting calcium from things such as dairy products or green leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale.

During your pregnancy, your body is going to go through some changes. If your pregnancy is affecting your teeth, talk to your dentist about different things you can do to help protect your teeth and keep them healthy throughout your pregnancy.

Contact a dentist for more information.

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