When you’re pregnant, your body goes through many changes, especially when it comes to your hormones. This can affect everything, from your mood to your sleep to even your oral health. In fact, due to hormonal shifts, pregnant people are at an increased risk of developing the first stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. Here are five important ways that you can reduce your risk of getting pregnancy gingivitis, and how you should care for your gums if you do.
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene
While you don’t need to do anything differently to clean your teeth and gums during pregnancy, you should still be careful to maintain your oral hygiene routine. That means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. This will help reduce your risk of gingivitis during pregnancy and beyond.
Eat a Healthy Diet
For some, eating healthier during pregnancy can be a challenge, especially when hormones make it difficult to stand even the sight of some foods. Still, do your best to eat as many nutritious foods as possible during this time. It will not only benefit your baby, but also your overall and oral health. Speak to your doctor about healthy options to enjoy during this time, and don’t forget to take your vitamins!
Gargle With Saltwater
Gargling with saltwater can help keep your teeth and gums clean while soothing inflammation in the gum tissue. Just add one teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water, swish gently, and then spit it out. Rinse well and repeat as necessary.
See Your Dentist
While pregnancy is already packed with lots of appointments, don’t forget to include your dentist in those routine check-ups. You should still attend your biannual exam and cleaning appointments on a regular basis during gestation. Furthermore, if your gums are showing any signs of inflammation, your dentist may recommend visiting every three or four months until after your baby is born to keep an eye on your smile. Though most pregnancy gingivitis is not serious and goes away after pregnancy, gum disease has been found to cause low birth weight in babies, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your oral health during this time.
If You Develop Pregnancy Gingivitis
If you still develop pregnancy related gingivitis, there are options to treat this condition that are safe for you and your baby. You may require a root scaling and planing procedure, antibiotics, or in severe cases you could need a gum graft. Your periodontist can further explain your options and is happy to work with you to find a solution that is both safe and comfortable for parent and child.
Remember, pregnancy gingivitis is a fairly common condition, affecting upwards of 75 percent of those who are pregnant. While it may not always be possible to prevent this illness, treating it during pregnancy can help keep both you and your baby safe during gestation and beyond.
About Our Practice
At BPS Periodontics, our team of skilled and caring periodontists want to make caring for your gums as comfortable as and stress free as possible. We understand that pregnancy is often a time of big changes, and that includes your oral health. If you are experiencing any gum sensitivity, inflammation, or other changes during this transitional time, please feel free to schedule a consultation with us for help. We can be reached via telephone at 860-658-5552 in Simsbury, or 860-677-8747 in Farmington, or through the link on our website.
