Pregnancy comes with lots of adjustments which includes paying more attention to the care of your teeth in order to prevent gum diseases, cavities and pain.The following are Tips for a smooth sail in pregnancy:
- Brushing twice daily with a fluoride containing toothpaste will help get rid of plaque. Brushing before bed has been shown to reduce nausea the following morning.
- Make use of the floss to clean in between your teeth.
- Cut down on sugar containing snacks and drinks: the first few months of a woman’s pregnancy are usually characterized by nausea and/or vomiting. To suppress nausea, many indulge in sweets, gums and sweet food. The frequent consumption of sweets in pregnancy could lead to the formation of cavities/tooth decay. It is better and healthier to replace the sweets with fruits and vegetables.
- Schedule an appointment with your dentist: it is important to have professional cleaning of your teeth in pregnancy to prevent gum diseases which pregnant woman are more at risk of developing due to the increased production of hormones.
- Watch the medication you take: drugs such as tetracycline are not safe for use in pregnancy. It could harm the baby or cause permanent discoloration of the teeth.
Note: Gum disease in pregnancy can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene such as brushing with a fluoride containing tooth paste twice daily, flossing and having routine Professional cleaning which is considered safe during pregnancy.
See also Are Dental treatments during pregnancy safe?
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