Do I Need to Visit the Dentist While Pregnant?

Between nesting, preparing the nursery, and getting extra sleep, it can be tempting to skip dental visits. However, visiting the dentist while pregnant is healthy for you and your baby!

How Pregnancy Affects Your Dental Health

Pregnancy causes many changes to your body. Some of these physical changes are obvious and expected, while others may be surprising.

An increase in dietary carbohydrates and changes in your hormones can result in gum swelling, a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and prevent infection and tooth decay.

Hormones can also cause pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. If you do vomit, rinse your mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water to reduce the acidity of your mouth. Doing so will help protect tooth enamel erosion, increased sensitivity, and cavities.

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant

If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, please let our dental team know so we can take the best steps to keep you and your baby safe and healthy. Based on your current and past oral health, we may recommend postponing dental X-rays and some treatments or we may utilize an alternative form of dental sedation if needed. We will only ever perform procedures that are safe and necessary while you’re pregnant. For example, routine cleanings are safe during pregnancy and will reduce your risk of developing dental disease that could otherwise be harmful to you and your baby.

Preventing Dental Problems During Pregnancy

To prevent dental problems during pregnancy, we recommend: maintaining a superb oral hygiene routine; consuming a balanced diet; drinking plenty of water; avoiding tobacco products; and scheduling regular dental visits before and throughout pregnancy. Dental checkups allow our team to find issues early on for rapid treatment.

We Welcome Families to Our Practice!

If you’re expecting a baby–congratulations! Our team would be happy to be part of your journey to keep your oral health on track. We would also love to care for your baby’s smile when their teeth come in. Contact us today with any additional questions or to schedule an appointment with Donald Kim, DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

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