Dental care during pregnancy

During pregnancy, dental care may be one of the last things on your mind. However, having a good oral care routine becomes even more important during this period. Hormonal changes throughout this time makes it easier for your teeth to become irritated or inflamed. Due to this there is a higher risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other issues.

It is important to visit the dentist regularly, even when you are pregnant. Leaving oral health problems untreated can be harmful to your overall health, meaning it can have a big impact on the development of your baby too. When booking in to see the dentist, let staff know that you are pregnant. The dentist can help to provide recommendations to your oral care routine as well as prescribe appropriate medication if necessary. Some medications such as tetracycline antibiotics can affect your baby’s developing teeth and should therefore be avoided.

During pregnancy, treatments such as fillings or crowns should be done to treat infection. If possible, dental x-rays should be avoided during this time. However, if your dentist considers it essential for you, special care and protection will be taken. The safest thing to do is to postpone all unnecessary dental treatments till after pregnancy.

Remember, early detection of any issues can only help when it comes to treatment options. For more information, book in to see one of our dentists today!