When we think about pregnancy, changes to the teeth and gums aren’t the first things that come to mind. But it really is important you keep an eye on your oral health at this time. Vhi Chief Dental Officer, Dr Gina Kilfeather, shares what you should know about looking after your teeth and gums when you’re expecting.

If you’re a mum-to-be, now is a time where you should take extra care your oral health. There’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t have dental treatment while pregnant, but this isn’t the case at all! If you develop gum disease while you’re pregnant, it could have an effect on your pregnancy. Things like low birthweight or premature birth could be a risk. Before you get worried, it’s easy to avoid gum disease with a good oral health routine.

Let’s start with understanding how pregnancy can impact your oral health, so you have more clarity on the situation:

• Gum disease

During pregnancy, the fluctuations in hormones can exaggerate the way gum tissue around the teeth reacts to plaque. This increases the risk of gum disease, also called pregnancy gingivitis, and research suggests that as many as 40% of pregnant women have some form of gum disease.

• Diet changes

Some food cravings during pregnancy are harmless, but too much snacking on sugary foods will increase your risk of tooth decay. Your baby’s teeth will begin to form between the third and sixth month, so it’s very important your diet has plenty of nutrients to support this. Vitamins A, C & D, protein, calcium and phosphorous (also found in protein-rich foods) are especially essential.

• Morning sickness

The dreaded morning sickness is unpleasant for many reasons. Getting sick increases the risk of erosion on your teeth. This is because vomit is partially made of stomach acid, which is corrosive to our teeth. Of course, a natural reaction after getting sick is to brush your teeth. This actually increases the amount of damage because you’re brushing the acid into your teeth. A good tip is to try rinsing with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water. This prevents the stomach acid from attacking your teeth. If you suffer badly from morning sickness and throw up often, speak to your dentist before rinsing with baking soda and water regularly.  

Here are the basic steps to preventing gum disease:

• Brush twice a day: Brush your teeth twice a day and for at least two minutes.
• Floss once a day: Use floss daily to reach where your toothbrush bristles can’t reach.
• Visit your dentist regularly: Visit your dentist for regular check-ups. They can guide you on prevention or treatment of gum disease.

If you’d like more information on gum disease, including the signs and symptoms, have a look at my blog, ‘Gum disease prevention: tips for looking after your gums.’

This content is for information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your GP or an appropriate medical professional if you have concerns about your health, or before commencing a new healthcare regime. If you believe that you are experiencing a medical emergency call 999 / 112 or seek emergency assistance immediately.