Congratulations! Today is the beginning of the next chapter of your life, because you’ve just found out that you are pregnant. To say you’re overwhelmed with emotion would be a gross understatement. Everything is going to be different now, and you have 9 months to prepare for the most important person ever to come into your life. Your body is going to go through a lot of changes, and this includes your teeth. Should you take care of them any differently now that you’re pregnant? Dr. Jini Shetty, your dentist in Merrimack, is going to answer all of your pregnancy and oral health questions.
1. When Should I See My Dentist?
You should make an appointment with us as soon as you can after you’ve found out that you’re pregnant. This will allow me to quickly take care of any dental issues that might affect your pregnancy (more on this later), and also allow us to map out an oral hygiene plan for you. It will help give you one less thing to think about when you have so much to do.
2. How Does Pregnancy Affect My Teeth?
Pregnancy actually increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, there is a condition specifically called “pregnancy gingivitis.” You may also develop growths on your gums called pregnancy tumors (which are non-cancerous). These are side effects of your hormones and immune system changing. We can easily treat either of these issues at our office.
3. How Can I Avoid Dental Issues While Pregnant?
Routine brushing and flossing are the best ways to avoid most dental issues, so be extra vigilant after you’ve become pregnant. In addition to this, a routine dental cleaning in Merrimack will be able to reach those areas of your teeth you simply can’t at home.
4. How Does My Oral Health Affect My Baby?
Gum disease has actually been shown to increase the risk of pre-term delivery and low-birth weight. This is because the bacteria in gum disease can easily travel all throughout the body. Be sure you keep your teeth clean along and under the gum line.
5. Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy?
The American Dental Association now considers dental x-rays to be safe for pregnant women. X-rays are a very important part of diagnosing and preventing many potential dental problems.
6. Is Anesthesia Safe During Pregnancy?
Anesthesia for dental procedures should only be used after the first trimester. If you need any dental work done, let me know how far you are along so we can properly schedule it.
Have More Questions?
While pregnancy is very fulfilling, it can also be very stressful. I, along with my team, want to do everything we can to make your pregnancy as easy as possible.
If you have any questions about how to maintain your oral health while you are pregnant, please give us a call today.
