Dental Care during Pregnancy

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KEY POINTS

• Good oral health is important for your total well-being. Oral health means having healthy teeth, gums, tongue, and throat. It affects your health and your baby’s health during your pregnancy.
• Have a dental checkup at least once while you are pregnant. Tell your dentist and the other people working in your dentist’s office that you are pregnant.
• A healthy diet is good for your teeth and gums and important for your baby’s growth and development.

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Why is dental care important?

Good oral health is important for your total well-being. Oral health means having healthy teeth, gums, tongue, and throat. It affects your health and your baby’s health during your pregnancy.

Taking good care of your teeth and mouth will help prevent you from having an infection in your mouth or tooth decay. If you have an infection in your mouth, your baby may be born too early (premature) or your baby may be small (low birth weight) when born.

Eating a healthy diet will help your baby grow and develop strong tissues, bones, and teeth.

What may be different during pregnancy?

You may have more problems with your teeth and gums during pregnancy, usually because of your body’s hormone changes.

• You may notice that your gums are swollen and bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. The bleeding usually goes away after you give birth. This condition is called pregnancy gingivitis.
• You also may have more bacteria in your mouth while you are pregnant. Bacteria can cause cavities and gum problems.
• You may have bumps on your gums. The bumps may bleed easily or trap food. These bumps will go away after you give birth.
• If you have morning sickness with nausea and vomiting, the acid from your stomach can harm your teeth.
• You may have a loose tooth. The looseness usually will go away after you give birth if it is caused by hormone changes and not by another dental problem.

How can I take care of myself?

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, see your dentist for any care you may need. Your dentist may have suggestions for how you can improve your dental health before and during your pregnancy.

To help prevent tooth decay and gum disease while pregnant:

• Eat a healthy diet and limit the amount of sugar you eat. A healthy diet is good for your teeth and gums and important for your baby’s growth and development. Your diet should include:
  • A lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
  • Some fruits, such as oranges, pineapples, and peaches, are high in natural sugar and acid that may damage your teeth. The natural acid in the fruit may temporarily soften the outer layer of the tooth. It is best to rinse your mouth with water after eating these fruits and wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Fruits such as raw apples help clean your teeth and make good snacks.
  • Poultry, fish, soy protein, eggs, nuts, and lean meats if you choose to include meat in your diet
  • Foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and sugars
  • Eating starchy or sugary foods can lead to tooth decay. You can help prevent decay by limiting these foods or brushing your teeth right after you eat these foods. Rinsing with water or chewing sugarless gum after you eat or drink foods that contain sugar can also help.
  • Follow any other food advice your healthcare provider and dentist give you.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss once daily. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the proper way to brush your teeth. If your gums are swollen or bleed easily, use a soft toothbrush and floss gently.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride to help your tooth enamel stay strong to help prevent decay.
• Use mouthwash that is alcohol free, or use just warm water to rinse your mouth and gums. Mouthwashes can help freshen bad breath, control plaque, and protect your teeth against decay.
• If you vomit, rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water. This lessens the harmful effect that stomach acid has on your teeth. Wait an hour before you brush your teeth.
• Have a dental checkup at least once while you are pregnant. Tell your dentist and the other people working in your dentist’s office that you are pregnant.
• Continue to have regular dental cleanings while you are pregnant as often as recommended by your dentist or healthcare provider.
• Tell your dentist about any medicines or supplements you are taking.
• Delay routine X-rays until after you give birth. Your dental technician will protect you and your baby with a lead apron if you need X-rays in an emergency.
• Do not delay any needed dental care during pregnancy. Cavities and root canal problems can be safely treated during pregnancy. Local numbing medicine is also safe.
• Your dentist can check with your healthcare provider to make sure that any needed X-rays, antibiotics, or pain medicines would be safe for you and your baby.
• Check with your dentist if you have questions about the safety of any of the dental products you use at home.
• If you have any pain, bleeding, loose teeth, or sores in your mouth, see your dentist as soon as possible.