Here are the top 5 tips to help you keep your mouth healthy during pregnancy:
Why are cavities during pregnancy more common?
Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman’s entire body. It is especially noteworthy during pregnancy as there is an increased risk of diseases, such as tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars in the diet and produce acids that demineralize and destroy the teeth. This process is what we know as tooth decay. The hormonal, physical, and behavioral changes that occur during pregnancy have a negative impact on oral health and increase the risk of cavities.
Cavities are a multifactorial disease that causes the loss of minerals from the teeth and their consequent destruction. Although this process can develop in any person and at any age, the changes inherent to pregnancy favor its appearance. This is due to the confluence of several situations:
The changes inherent to pregnancy can favor the appearance of cavities. Tooth sensitivity, pain, tooth fractures, or bad breath are some of the symptoms that can be experienced with this condition.
The best way to avoid cavities during pregnancy is to pay attention to your diet, take care of your dental hygiene, and attend dental check-ups.
- Visit the dentist before becoming pregnant: If you’re planning to become pregnant, it’s important to visit the dentist and undergo all the necessary treatments in order to leave your mouth in optimal condition before conception.
- Brush your teeth frequently: It’s key to clean your teeth and gums with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste at least three times a day. Nausea or sensitivity shouldn’t be an excuse to neglect hygiene.
- Use dental floss to remove bacteria that accumulate between the teeth. An irrigator can make it easier to clean the gums when they’re very inflamed.
- Choose a balanced and healthy diet: Food should provide sufficient protein, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and folic acid. Healthy alternatives to cravings should be sought and the intake of products with a high sugar content, such as sweets, pastries, and soft drinks, should be reduced as much as possible.
- Dental check-ups: Ideally, a complete dental check-up should be carried out at the beginning of pregnancy to detect possible problems. In this way, it’ll be possible to plan approaches in advance and anticipate complications. In general, a check-up is recommended every trimester.
Why are cavities during pregnancy more common?
Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman’s entire body. It is especially noteworthy during pregnancy as there is an increased risk of diseases, such as tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars in the diet and produce acids that demineralize and destroy the teeth. This process is what we know as tooth decay. The hormonal, physical, and behavioral changes that occur during pregnancy have a negative impact on oral health and increase the risk of cavities.
Cavities are a multifactorial disease that causes the loss of minerals from the teeth and their consequent destruction. Although this process can develop in any person and at any age, the changes inherent to pregnancy favor its appearance. This is due to the confluence of several situations:
- Hormonal changes: The increase in estrogens and progestogens causes a greater blood flow throughout the body, including the gums. It’s common for pregnant women to develop gingivitis, have swollen gums, and experience bleeding of the gums. And with this, bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate, which favors the development of cavities during pregnancy.
- Vomiting, nausea, and reflux: These symptoms, which are characteristic of the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, increase the acidity of the oral environment. A mouth with a pH that’s more acidic than normal favors the appearance of cavities.
- Poor dental hygiene: Nausea, vomiting and the discomfort caused by swollen gums can cause pregnant women to neglect their oral hygiene. Bacterial plaque builds up and increases the risk of tooth decay.
- Cravings and poor diet: Some pregnant women change their eating habits and feel the need to consume unhealthy products that can become harmful to the mouth. A higher intake of sweets, sugars, soft drinks, or acidic substances favors the proliferation of bacteria.
- Changes in saliva: During pregnancy, saliva production may decrease and the composition and pH of saliva may change. With this, the protective and regulatory functions of this fluid decrease, which favors bacterial growth.
The changes inherent to pregnancy can favor the appearance of cavities. Tooth sensitivity, pain, tooth fractures, or bad breath are some of the symptoms that can be experienced with this condition.
The best way to avoid cavities during pregnancy is to pay attention to your diet, take care of your dental hygiene, and attend dental check-ups.
