Having a baby on the way comes with new responsibilities and physical changes that can be hard to keep up with! As your body changes to accommodate your growing little one, your smile can go through some changes as well.

Taking the best care possible of your body and smile during your pregnancy can help you have a healthy baby! Here’s how you can keep your smile healthy during your pregnancy.

Be Aware of Your Risk for Gum Disease

If you’re expecting a child, hormone changes in your body mean you’re at higher risk for gum disease. Fluctuating hormones can cause gum tissue to swell and cause symptoms of gum disease.

Since periodontal disease has been linked to both premature birth and low birth weight of babies, seeking treatment for gum disease during your pregnancy is important [1].

Symptoms of gum disease could include puffy or tender gum tissue, bleeding when brushing, and even sensitive teeth. Your dentist can help you receive safe and effective care for gum disease during your pregnancy!

Keep Up With Your Oral Care

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is still essential for your oral care when expecting a baby [2]. However, if you’re experiencing morning sickness, be careful not to brush your teeth immediately afterward. Your vomit contains harsh stomach acids that can weaken tooth enamel, increasing the likelihood that you would damage it when brushing.

Instead, rinse your mouth out thoroughly with water after vomiting and wait about one hour before brushing your teeth. You can chew sugarless gum if you need a breath freshener before brushing, and it may help protect your tooth enamel [3]!

Eat Healthy for You and Your Baby

Eating a well-balanced diet can help support your health as well as your developing baby’s. However, snacking and cravings are undeniable parts of pregnancy for many mothers.

While it’s important to stay nourished, there are things you can do to help prevent sugary or sticky foods from affecting your smile and weakening your tooth enamel during your pregnancy [4].

• Drink water. Drinking water when eating sugary foods or frequently indulging in snacks
  can help prevent harmful acids from damaging your teeth!
• Ensure you have all the nutrients you need. Pregnant women are eating for two, so
  they need extra nutrients to help nourish their body and their baby. Many women opt
  for additional supplements to ensure they have everything they need for a healthy baby.
• Don’t skip your dental visits. Your dentist can tell if something is off with your smile and recommend treatment as necessary. Getting a checkup at least once during your pregnancy—and ideally before and after as well—can help you avoid gum disease and other common issues that can threaten the health of your growing little one.

Keeping your smile healthy is advantageous to both you and your baby during your pregnancy. Always keep up with your oral care at home and schedule a checkup with your dentist if you’re expecting or planning to get pregnant!

Sources:
1. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/dental-health-during-pregnancy.aspx#
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pregnancy/healthy-habits
3. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
4. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Brushing-for-