Being a mom is a huge change in a woman’s life. Suddenly you are responsible for a whole new person, even when the tiny being is still in your tummy. During the months of pregnancy, you will have to take care of your body, as it will also affect the health of the baby. Worse, changes are going through your body that you need to deal with as well.

The condition of your teeth and gums might be one of the last things you consider during pregnancy but in reality, your oral health has a huge effect on you and your baby’s overall health.

Here are some changes going on in your body that affect your gum and tooth health.

Tiredness, Exhaustion & Fatigue

Tiredness during pregnancy can lead women into skipping their regular tooth brushing and flossing routine. Some women also forget to visit the dentist, although it is recommended for pregnant women to go for a checkup during their pregnancy. This way, plaque and bacteria buildup can be dealt with immediately. This will also prevent tooth decay.

Hormonal Changes

Pregnant women know that they will undergo hormonal changes. Few women are aware, however, that it can be dangerous to gum health and even lead to pregnancy gingivitis. This leads to inflamed and irritated gums that bleed.

When left untreated, it can worsen to periodontitis, which is a more severe form of gum disease that leads to bone loss. Unfortunately, there is a link between periodontitis and pre-term delivery and low birth weight of the baby.

Morning Sickness

If you are suffering from morning sickness, this can be very bad for your oral health. The stomach acid will end up in the mouth and make tooth enamel weaker. It will put you at a higher risk of cavities.

Overeating Due to Strange Cravings

You also experience cravings and end up eating more during pregnancy, which means your teeth are more exposed to acid found in food. More likely, though, you are not increasing your tooth brushing, so bacteria that thrive on acid (like Streptococcus mutans) multiply and weaken your tooth enamel.

Vitamins and Medication

Your doctor will have prescribed you to take regular prenatal vitamins for your baby, ones that have folic acid. While this is great for your baby, you need to also consider how it may be bad for your teeth. Chewy or gummy vitamins stick to teeth and even contain sugar, so do not take them after brushing your teeth and before going to bed.

How Your Oral Health Affects Baby’s Health

Not only are you putting your oral health at risk during pregnancy; this can have adverse effects on your baby’s overall health. For example, the bacteria in your mouth can go inside the bloodstream through your gums and go to the uterus.

It will then trigger the production of prostaglandins, which is believed to induce early labor. Moreover, you can pass the bacteria to your newborn directly, so that your newborn has higher amounts of them in its mouth.

What To Do To Take Care Of Your Oral Health During Pregnancy

1. No matter how tired you are, you should keep up with your regular oral care routine, brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. Use fluoride toothpaste and try to target areas prone to plaque. Use a small-headed toothbrush with soft filaments to avoid bleeding gums.
2. Floss at least once a day to remove tiny pieces of food stuck between teeth.
3. Avoid sugary foods and drinks and instead, opt for vegetables, fruit, and yogurt.
4. Do not use mouthwash with alcohol content.
5. Avoid smoking, because it can worsen gum disease.
6. Try doing a salt rinse every day. All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, and swirling the mixture around the mouth a few times before you spit it out (do not swallow). This can reduce gum inflammation.
7. If you are experiencing morning sickness, make sure you rinse your mouth with water after getting sick. This will avoid damage to your teeth due to the acid in the vomit.

Your oral health is always important but when you are pregnant, it can also affect your child’s health directly. Keeping in touch with your dentist and informing him of your pregnancy are key to getting the right support to keep you and your baby safe from teeth and gum problems.