Pregnancy and Your Teeth

When you’re expecting, one thing is for certain—there are big changes in store for your body. And while it’s common to expect a growing belly, weight gain and sleepless nights, there’s one thing you may want to note—the impact of pregnancy on your oral health.

If you or someone you know is starting a family soon, here are a few things to look out for.

1. Morning sickness. A staple sign of pregnancy, morning sickness is experienced by most women in their first trimester. Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of one quarter teaspoon baking soda and one cup of water is a great way to neutrali[z]e stomach acids that may latch on to your teeth after morning sickness.

2. Pregnancy gingivitis. With pregnancy comes higher hormone levels, which can cause common symptoms like mood swings and cravings. However, hormones also play an important role in the health of your gums. In some pregnancies, the gums may swell as a result of these elevated hormone levels, which can lead to something known as pregnancy gingivitis. If you notice swollen gums during pregnancy, schedule a visit with our practice.

3. Pregnancy tum[o]rs (pyogenic granulomas). While this may sound initially frightening, these small mouth tum[o]rs that can appear between the teeth are not malignant and often disappear before the child is born. If you notice these small growths appearing in your mouth and causing irritation or discomfort, let us know.

Whether you’re pregnant and in need of an oral checkup or simply want to schedule a routine clean, contact our practice today to make an appointment.