For soon-to-be mothers, it can be an exciting time to expect a new member of the family. When it comes to mothers, their health matters extensively to have a healthy delivery, but it can lead to complications when certain health problems are ignored. Our oral health is just as crucial to our lives as our hearts and minds, and for mothers, their oral health matters too. Because mothers make such large sacrifices to deliver their newborns, their oral health can often be ignored or disregarded. However, we’re here to inform you that when it comes to pregnancy, oral health problems can lead to problems during pregnancy and that being pregnant can also lead to oral diseases later on in life.

When you visit your dentist, they will design the treatment plans needed to ensure that your body during pregnancy is healthy. Throughout this article, we’ll explore some of the risks associated with pregnancy and how pregnancy can affect our oral health in various ways.

How Pregnancy and Oral Diseases Connect

Pregnancy can be a big and challenging part of life not just because of the responsibilities involved but also the many numerous side effects. During pregnancy, women often experience nausea, food cravings, vomiting, mood swings, and lower stomach pain, making it difficult to keep other parts of their health in check. Pregnant women during these times also experience oral health issues that often go unnoticed.

Taking care of your teeth can make massive differences throughout your pregnancy, as your oral health is a vital part of your prenatal care. When gone unnoticed or ignored, many oral issues can arise over time, including:

• Enamel Wear down: Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can often result in more acid leftover in the mouth. This acid can cause the enamel to wear down if not properly cleaned. When the enamel wears down, it increases the risk of cavities.
• Cavity Development: Cavities can develop not only from enamel loss but also can come from plaque development. Pregnancy exhaustion can cause women to become more forgetful about brushing and flossing their teeth, leading to a higher risk of cavities.
• Pregnancy Gum Disease: Most of all, gum disease is one of the biggest risks for pregnant women because of hormonal changes. These changes can cause blood pressure to rise, which causes inflammation throughout the body and increase inflammation of the gums. According to studies from the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, gum disease can increase the risk of preeclampsia and premature births.
• Loosened Teeth: As a result of enamel loss, cavities, and gum disease, the teeth can also become loose over time.

How To Take Care of Your Teeth While Pregnant

Proper oral hygiene is a crucial way to prevent many oral diseases, and if you’re having any problems maintaining your oral health, the best place to find treatment is to arrange an appointment with your pediatric dentist to learn more about how to care for your oral health while pregnant.