Congratulations! You are having a baby! The joys of motherhood are about to be yours, but first you learn all about pregnancy: what to do and what not to do, what to eat and what not to eat, what to avoid in terms of habits, what vitamins to take, and how to take care of yourself and your baby as you go through pregnancy. You have seen your ob-gyn, but have you visited your dentist?
It would seem that only half of moms-to-be include dental exams and care, but the changes in your hormones during pregnancy include a change in how your body responds to dental plaque and, without proper dental care many women can develop “Pregnancy Gingivitis.” This is the swelling of gums that can develop as the gums react to bacteria buildup due to increases in plaque.
The elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone in pregnant women can increase the risk of gingivitis. And, if a woman had gum disease already before becoming pregnant, it will, most likely, worsen during pregnancy. Sadly, expectant mothers with gum disease have a greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies as the bacteria in the infected gums can travel through the bloodstream.
The good news is that Pregnancy Gingivitis is preventable with proper dental care including a visit right away to the dentist for a gum exam and good cleaning and vigilant daily hygiene including:
- Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day and after meals where practical.
- Floss daily
- Use your TUNG Brush and Gel daily to rid yourself of those pesky bacteria lingering on your tongue
- Eat healthy foods
- Take your prenatal vitamins as directed
- Should you develop morning sickness, rinse your mouth and brush without toothpaste (sometimes the strong flavor of the toothpaste exacerbates the nausea) and rinse with a good anti-plaque mouthwash. Remember that vomiting can leave an acid residue on your tongue and teeth that can lead to problems, so try hard to do what you can to maintain an good routine even through those days.
- Visit your dentist regularly
So, from all of us here at TUNG Brush and Gel – we send our hearty congratulations to you, and our wishes for a great, plaque-free pregnancy as you prepare to welcome your bundle of joy!
