It’s essential for pregnant women to pay close attention to their oral health and receive professional care from a dentist as needed. As your body adapts to support the growth of your baby, you can expect your mouth to go through several changes as well. Below are a few you may encounter. 

How Pregnancy Affects Oral Health

1. Gingivitis

The hormonal changes that your body goes through during pregnancy are designed to keep you healthy and better protect your baby. But surges in hormones can increase your body’s response to plaque—a bacterial film that occurs on the outside of teeth and gums. Due to an overactive immune system, you may face a higher risk of gingivitis, a mild infection of the gums.

When you have gingivitis, you may notice that your gums appear swollen, tender, or red. Left alone, this problem can advance into gum disease—a condition that causes receding gum tissue, oral infection, and tooth loss. Fortunately, if you catch the problem early on, your dentist can provide a deep cleaning to clear the infection and protect your gums.

2. Pregnancy Tumors

Although the name may sound severe, pregnancy tumors refer to non-threatening growths that appear on the gums. These growths usually occur as a result of excessive plaque development and hormonal activity within the mouth.

If these tumors cause no symptoms, you may be able to leave them untreated; they can eventually fade away after you’ve given birth. However, if the growths cause pain or bleeding, it may be more appropriate to have a dentist remove them.

3. Cavities

Pregnant women face a higher risk of tooth decay for a few different reasons. First, morning sickness may expose the teeth to stomach acids that wear away at enamel, leaving teeth more susceptible to cavities.

If you’re experiencing these issues, a dentist can provide preventive treatments to protect and strengthen your teeth. They may also recommend oral hygiene changes to help you defend enamel from corrosive acids, such as minimizing your intake of acidic foods and drinks. 

Secondly, some may experience calcium deficiencies as nutrients are being used to support healthy fetal growth. Decreases in calcium levels can cause teeth to weaken, increasing the risk of decay. If this is the case, talk to your obstetrician about how you can supplement nutrients during pregnancy.

If you’re expecting, Dental Clinic of Onalaska is here to provide comprehensive care to keep your mouth healthy. Whether providing cleanings for gingivitis or repairing tooth decay, this Onalaska, WI, dentist will take a gentle approach to ensure you feel comfortable at every stage of care. They also offer kid-friendly services to ensure your child enjoys a lifetime of good oral health. Visit this general dentist online for more details on these services; or, call (608) 783-3341 to schedule an appointment.