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In general, you should follow the basic preventative dental care practices you always employ throughout your pregnancy. However, there will be some changes you’ll need to make temporarily due to the increased sensitivity that your pregnancy can cause. These tips will help you to keep your teeth and gum tissue healthy during your pregnancy.

How to Take Care of Your Teeth When You’re Pregnant

1. Continue Brushing & Flossing

While your mouth may feel extra sensitive during this time, you’ll still need to protect against tooth decay and gum disease. You should continue to brush twice or more per day, and you can do this without irritating sensitive gum tissue by switching to a toothbrush with soft bristles.

 Additionally, your dentist may recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash that won’t be as harsh. If regular floss feels too painful, a water pick can serve as a substitute.

2. Rinse After Morning Sickness

When you vomit, digestive acid from the stomach will work its way up along with any food that you may purge. While you shouldn’t brush right away, you don’t want that acid to erode your teeth.

The solution to this is to create a mixture of warm water and one teaspoon of baking soda. Swish the mixture around and spit to flush the acid out of your mouth. Brush your teeth in one hour.

3. Consult Your Dentist Regularly 

Preventative Dental CareEven when you’re pregnant, regular check-ups are essential to preventative dental care. At the very least, you should be undergoing a teeth cleaning and exam every six months.

However, if you experience a problem with your oral health, or if you have concerns, you should consult your dentist earlier. When it comes to caring for your teeth and gum tissue, addressing problems early will prevent more serious conditions from developing.

4. Eat a Healthy Diet

Your doctor has probably put you on a specific diet or suggested that you adopt healthier eating habits for the sake of your baby. This is also important in caring for your teeth because more sensitive gum tissue will be at a higher risk of infection.

To combat this, eat foods rich in vitamins that will keep your teeth and gum tissue strong. Specifically, vitamins B12 and C, along with calcium, will help strengthen the bone in your jaw and your teeth. Your dentist may recommend a supplement in addition to specific foods to help you keep your mouth healthy.

 

A total preventative dental care strategy relies on regular visits with a dentist to ensure tooth decay and gum disease doesn’t become a problem during pregnancy. Located in Pagosa Springs, CO, King Campbell, DDS, PLLC has been serving patients in the area for several decades, and the entire staff works tirelessly to build positive relationships with their patients. In addition to general dentistry, Dr. Campbell provides cosmetic dentistry and a broad range of other services. To learn more, visit the office’s website. To schedule a visit, call (970) 731-2126.

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