When you are expectant, many things run on your mind. Should dental care be one of them? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Pregnancy is an intensive body-transforming experience that affects many parts of your body.
And this transformation can take a toll on your dental health. This article will explain how pregnancy exposes you to dental issues and why seeking regular dental care is essential.
1. Gingivitis
Notice blood, swelling, or pain when brushing or flossing your teeth? If yes, there is a good chance you may have gingivitis. When you are expectant, your progesterone hormone levels rise. This may cause an increased response to bacterial plaque, which exposes you to gingivitis. The risk of gingivitis is high between the second and the eighth month.
Therefore, you should visit a dental office consistently to identify gingivitis at its early stages and address it on time. A reputable dentist can also advise you on the best oral hygiene technique to keep gingivitis at bay.
2. Dysgeusia
Notice a metallic taste in your mouth? This is probably dysgeusia, a condition where your sense of taste is altered during pregnancy. During this period, even your favorite meals may smell and taste awful.
Note that dysgeusia may not always be detrimental to your teeth. However, how you choose to deal with it can make or break your dental health. For example, if you decide to deal with the unpleasant taste by eating sugar-rich foods, you will be exposing your teeth to cavities and decays. When you visit your dentist, they will be able to advise you on the best ways to avoid a dry mouth or bad taste, which may help reduce the impact of dysgeusia.
3. Periodontal Diseases
If you shrug off pregnancy gingivitis, the plaque on your gum might harden and start affecting your gum, bones, and roots. Eventually, an infection may eat the gum and bone that supports your teeth.
If you suffer bone loss, tooth extraction may be inevitable. Even worse, periodontal diseases can reduce birth weight or cause premature birth. Regular dental check-ups allow early detection and treatment of periodontal diseases to keep you and your baby safe.
4. Cravings
Pregnancy affects your eating habits in many ways. One of the notable changes in your eating habit is the high cravings for sweets, chocolate, pickles, and ice cream. Although these foods may quench your cravings, they may erode your enamel, leading to tooth decay and throbbing toothaches.
You need to rinse and brush your teeth after eating sugary foods. But, most importantly, make it a habit to visit a dental office for professional cleaning and screening.
Pregnancy comes with an elevated risk of dental issues. If you want to keep your teeth in good shape during this period when they are most vulnerable, ensure that you seek regular dental check-ups at a reliable and reputable dental office.