Brushing for Two: Dental Cleaning and Pregnancy

You already know dental cleaning contributes to your overall health, but did you know it’s especially significant during pregnancy? It’s true. Since September is the month most babies are born (on average), we decided to give all you new baby mommas a heads up and invite you in for a relaxing dental cleaning sesh in our spa-like office.

Here’s the scoop. Pregnancy can exacerbate dental health issues, which in turn can trigger pregnancy complications, including premature birth. Certain studies have shown a link between gum disease and premature birth–that’s birth that takes place before 37 weeks of gestation, which has obvious health implications.

Being a mommy is synonymous with making all sorts of sacrifices, but your oral health shouldn’t be one of them. Because in this case, looking out for yourself means looking out for your kid. If you are pregnant, you need to keep up with regular appointments and maybe even schedule an extra dental cleaning (or two). 

Why? Tooth and gum health declines for mothers during pregnancy. There are a few issues that can complicate oral health:

• Morning sickness – frequently heaving allows powerful acids from the stomach to weaken tooth enamel putting you at greater risk for cavities.
• Exhaustion – anyone can have a tiring day but building a new person leads to next level Exhaustion, which could lead to skipping nighttime brushing and flossing (don’t do it)
• Pregnancy gingivitis – yes, it’s a thing. Hormonal changes can lead to bleeding inflamed gums, which is just as unpleasant as it sounds
• Snack attacks – those pregnancy cravings can lead to more acidity in the mouth, which weakens enamel, again leaving you susceptible to cavities.

So, How Does Oral Health Trigger Pregnancy Complications?

It’s all about mouth bacteria. When there is excessive bacteria in the mouth, it can get into the bloodstream and travel to the uterus. This can trigger the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which are linked to premature labour. 

What Can You Do?

Quite a lot, actually. Here are a few helpful tips to maintain oral health throughout pregnancy:

• Brush at least twice a day and floss once
• Rinse after  vomiting and brush 30 minutes later
• Schedule a dental cleaning (let us know if you are pregnant)

If you schedule a dental cleaning at Pearl, remember to let us know that you’re expecting. Our certified dental hygienists can assess your oral health and make a plan to keep your teeth healthy and sparkling. Remember you’re brushing for two–and caring for your teeth and gums can make a difference for your baby—both immediately and in the long term.