Dental Care During Pregnancy – Part 1

Did you know that when you get pregnant, your dental treatments need to change? Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time, and the last thing you need are dental issues. Unfortunately, the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy increase your chances for gum disease, which can endanger your baby’s health.

In the next few blogs, we will discuss dental care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Before pregnancy:

• Make an appointment before getting pregnant if possible.
• Having your teeth professionally cleaned and your gum tissue examined will give you and your dentist a chance to eliminate oral health issues in advance.

While pregnant:

• Tell your dentist you are pregnant.
• Avoid all major dental treatments during the first trimester and the first half of the second trimester unless you have an emergency. This is such an important time in your baby’s development, it is better to avoid exposing yourself to anything that could influence the baby.
• Avoid dental x-rays. Though new technology has made x-rays much safer than they used to be, it is just better to avoid them.
• While you should avoid most dental treatments, go ahead and have your regular checkups. Remember, hormonal changes during pregnancy heighten your risk for periodontal disease.
• Pay attention to your gums. If you experience tenderness, bleeding, or swelling, make an appointment as soon as possible in order to avoid pregnancy gingivitis.

In our next blog, we will finish up our important tips! At Smilepoint Dental, Texas’s expert family dentistry, we are strong allies for you. We will use all our expertise to help you out.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.