Everything You Should Know About Dental Problems During Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes many changes to occur in your body, with results that vary from swollen feet to fatigue. Like every other part of your body, your mouth and teeth can also be affected by pregnancy. We created this short guide to help you learn about dental issues that might arise during your pregnancy and how to treat them.

Are Certain Dental Problems More Likely During Pregnancy?

Absolutely. Both gum disease and tooth decay are much more common during pregnancy than at any other time. Furthermore, many of these problems arise early in the pregnancy and often remain untreated until after the baby is born, which means they can require more in-depth and expensive treatment than would be needed to treat problems early.

What Causes Dental Problems During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy-related dental problems have three primary causes. First, the hormone changes during pregnancy affect every system and organ in the body, and your mouth is no exception. These hormonal changes predispose you to gum disease and tooth decay.

Secondly, pregnancy cravings often lead to a higher consumption of sugary and starchy food. This provides the bacteria that live in your mouth with more fuel to grow. Sugar or starch plus bacteria equals gum disease and tooth decay without proper dental care. This causes dental problems to develop faster and spread quicker than they otherwise would.

Finally, many women hesitate to seek dental care during pregnancy over concerns for the health of their babies. This results in more advanced problems when they do finally see the dentist.

Is It Safe to See My Dentist During Pregnancy?

Absolutely. Getting a professional dental cleaning and check-up during your pregnancy will protect your oral health and your baby. There is no risk whatsoever of any harm to your fetus from a dental cleaning. Coming into Gardena Dental Care for your normal checkups will also allow us to catch any dental problems early, which will make treatment easier for you and your baby. 

Is It Safe to Get Dental Issues Treated During Pregnancy?

Yes! The most common dental problem during pregnancy is the first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. This can be addressed with a professional dental cleaning. If allowed to advance to the later stages of periodontal disease, it can only be treated, not reversed, and you’ll risk losing teeth and even gum tissue or bone.

Other dental problems can be treated as well, and if you develop a serious dental issue during your pregnancy, your dentist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will resolve the issue safely for you and your baby.

Can Dental Problems During Pregnancy Harm My Baby?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Gum disease is especially likely to cause issues with your growing baby. The bacteria that causes this disease can enter your bloodstream and cause problems throughout your body. 

Severe gum disease has been linked to low birth weight and premature birth, which carry with them a risk of numerous health problems from brain injuries to lung problems to eyesight issues. Taking care of your teeth when you’re pregnant can help protect your baby.

How Can I Best Protect My Teeth During Pregnancy?

The best way to protect your teeth during your pregnancy is the same way you protect them any other time. Follow a good oral hygiene routine and use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Floss at least once per day. See your provider in the Gardena office every 6 months for your regular cleanings.

What Should I Do to Protect My Teeth When I Have Morning Sickness?

Vomit is acidic, and like any other acid, it will damage your tooth enamel if left on your teeth. After you vomit, don’t immediately brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste because it will make the issue worse. Instead, brush your teeth with baking soda to neutralize the acid. Then brush as you normally would.

When Should My New Baby First See the Dentist?

Your new bundle of joy should have his or her first dental checkup after the first tooth erupts or at 12 months of age, whichever is sooner. After that, your child should come in for regular check-ups every 6 months just like you do. 

Our staff will be happy to give you detailed information on how to best care for your growing child’s teeth.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Dental Problems During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy doesn’t make dental care more expensive. It will cost you no more to treat any dental problems that arise during your pregnancy than it would before or afterward. The cost of treating any problem is dependent on the issue, the procedure required to treat it, and how your insurance covers it.

Before any procedure is performed at Gardena Dental Care, we’ll be sure to give you a full breakdown of how much your treatment will cost, how much will be covered by your dental insurance, and how much you will have to pay from your own pocket.

We understand that dental care can be expensive, especially when you are already having a baby, and that’s why we offer payment plans and financing options to help you get the care you need today instead of putting it off until later when it can cost more, and treatment will be more difficult. Please ask our staff for this information if you need it. 

Are You Ready to Make an Appointment?

We’re excited to welcome you to our practice! Gardena Dental Care has a modern, up-to-date office that uses all the latest innovations in dental care to make sure you’re getting the best treatment possible. We provide preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontic dental care right here in our office. 

We treat patients of all ages, from the smallest babies to grandparents, and will be happy to take care of your entire family. We can’t wait to meet you.

Call Gardena Dental Care at (424) 295-7885 and make your appointment today!