How Is Pregnancy Related To Oral Health?
It is very important for pregnant mothers to have their regular dental checkup during the first three months and the last month of pregnancy. These are the most critical times on the development of their baby.
During pregnancy, your body may suffer from hormonal changes which may cause the blood vessels in your gums to dilate and increase blood flow. Because of this, gum tissues become more sensitive and they may bleed easily. Plaque can also accumulate on your teeth and result in gingivitis. When the gums become swollen and inflamed, it can lead to pregnancy tumors and periodontitis, a dental condition which affects the gums, the teeth and the bones that support them.
How Can I Avoid These Problems?
Dental problems can be prevented by brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to clean the gum line because this is where diseases usually start.
Rinse your mouth every morning especially if you are experiencing morning sickness, and wait for 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. Stomach acid can accumulate on your teeth and it may cause them to decay. Avoiding sweet and acidic foods and drinks can reduce morning sickness and prevent tooth decay.
You must also avoid smoking and drinking while you are pregnant. Not only will it affect your dental health, but it may lead to an underweight baby and preterm delivery. When this happens, the dental health of your baby will also be affected, because of the underdeveloped tooth enamel.
What Are The Effects Of My Oral Health To My Unborn Child?
Many might think that pregnancy and oral health are unrelated, but there are plenty of studies showing why it’s important to keep both in check. Bacteria from gum diseases may enter the bloodstream and travel down to the uterus. This causes an increased production of the prostaglandins to fight the bacteria, and it may also result to preterm labor. You will also be at risk of having pre-eclampsia and delivering an underweight baby.
Underweight and premature babies are likely to have pulmonary and developmental complications, behavioral abnormalities, ear infections and infant death.
How Does My Diet Affect My Dental Health During Pregnancy?
Pregnant mothers must have a balanced diet that includes all the vitamins and minerals she and her baby need. Calcium in particular is very important in the development of the baby’s bones and teeth. If you have an inadequate intake of calcium daily, your body will use the calcium stored on your bones and teeth to be used by your baby. You can obtain calcium from dairy products, cheese, milk and green leafy vegetables.
What Are The Dental Procedures That I Should Avoid During Pregnancy?
Regular dental checkup is recommended for pregnant mothers to you’re your teeth cleaned especially during the first trimester, but any elective procedure must be postponed during this time. The best time to undergo dental treatments is during the second trimester or the fourth month.
You must also avoid X-rays while you are pregnant, except on emergency cases. Make sure you are covered with a lead apron during the procedure to protect your baby from radiation.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy during your pregnancy really helps a lot in delivering a healthy baby. You must consult your dentist and obstetrician once you notice any changes in your mouth to avoid dental problems which may affect your child. Pregnancy and oral health goes hand in hand when it comes to ensuring you and your baby’s health.
Not only do we have scientific fact to prove that good oral health is very important for a healthy baby, it is plain common sense too. We also know that regular dental health can be expensive – especially if you’re one of the millions of Americans who don’t have a good dental insurance program.
That’s why we want to introduce you (and your unborn baby) to AmeriPlan Dental Plus dental discount program.
For under a dollar a day you can have access to practically any dental procedure you need to keep you and your baby healthy. And you can save thousands of dollars each year with AmeriPlan Dental!
Unlike dental insurance, AmeriPlan Dental Plus covers your entire household, costs less that a dollar a day and has no coverage limits. We are committed to resolving your oral healthcare crisis by providing access to low-cost, high-quality dental care through AmeriPlan Dental Plus.
Take a few moments to find out more about the AmeriPlan healthcare and dental care discounts by clicking HERE. We think you’ll be amazed at the cost savings, the fact that we cover your whole household, and that pre-existing conditions are welcomed!
AmeriPlan discount health and dental plans are designed to save you money while providing the health and dental care you and your family needs. Get started now and you’ll be amazed at the level of medical and dental services and the low cost.
p.s – Have some questions? You can give us a call at 1-855-878-7774 or contact us at the form on this page or click here to visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
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