Expectant mothers have plenty of things to worry about. They’re growing a brand new life, and it’s a big responsibility. For many pregnant women, caring for their teeth goes by the wayside. Unfortunately, the fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy can lead to a number of oral health concerns, so it’s essential that pregnant patients keep up with their regular preventive dental exams and teeth cleanings. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the many oral health conditions expectant mothers have to contend with and how we can help you keep your smile healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Common Oral Health Concerns Effecting Expectant Mothers
The spike in progesterone levels experienced during pregnancy can lead to a number of oral health issues, including:
- Gum disease – this is so common among pregnant women that it has its own name, “pregnancy gingivitis.” Hormonal fluctuations cause soft tissue to swell and become easily irritated. The swelling soft tissue traps foods below the gum, which can lead to infection.
- Pregnancy tumors – another side effect of the fluctuating hormones and swelling soft tissue is the development of benign tumors in the soft tissue. While they may be irritating and potentially painful, these tumors will usually clear up following delivery.
- Loose teeth – the changes in soft tissue and bone density lead to the shifting of teeth as the supportive structures break away. Without proper care, this loosening of the attachments that hold teeth in place can also lead to tooth loss.
The Importance of Regular Preventive Care
When you visit our office, we’ll help you keep your smile healthy and avoid these common oral health conditions during pregnancy. While checkups and cleanings are perfectly safe for expectant mothers, more advanced dental treatments may not be, so it’s even more important to partner with our team to keep your smile healthy. Without regular dental exams and teeth cleanings, women are at risk for developing more advanced levels of gum disease that have been linked to preterm and low weight births.
Meet the Sage Dental Care Team
The Sage Dental Care of Westminster team offers a variety of dentistry services for patients of all ages and stages of life, including pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy, we’re here to help you maintain the optimal level of oral health and avoid the need for more advanced dental care. If you need to schedule a six month dental exam or find out more about keeping your smile healthy during pregnancy, call the caring Sage Dental Care team to schedule an appointment in our state-of-the-art Westminster dental office. We look forward to helping you keep your smile whole and healthy for life.