Dental Care Before, During And After Pregnancy
Advice for pregnant mums and those with young children.
When we are trying for a baby, and eventually become pregnant, most of us are extra careful with lots of different parts of our health care – alcohol consumption, smoking, what we eat, how much we sleep and so on. However, one thing we notice here at our Abbey Road dentist, is that some women trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or who recently had a baby, don’t consider their dental health in relation to their pregnancy status.
Dental healthcare is in fact extra important whilst you are in the different stages of pregnancy, for lots of different reasons. We are more than happy to give you advice on the different approach to your dental health you will need to have during pregnancy when you come in and see us but in the meantime, please take a look at these general tips:
When Trying For A Baby
It is a really good idea to make an appointment with us at Abbey Road Dental before you get pregnant. By doing this we can ensure you have a full examination and any necessary treatments before you get pregnant and potentially have to wait until the baby is born to have them. We can also offer you some advice on your dental care during pregnancy as well.
When Pregnant, Let Us Know
If you become pregnant it is important you tell us should you have an appointment booked with us during your pregnancy. There are certain guidelines we follow in regards to pregnancy, and certain treatments are avoided completely, others are avoided unless it is an emergency. This is especially true in the first and second trimester of pregnancy when the baby’s development is critical. There are certain routine treatments we can perform, but we cannot advise you on the best course of action if you do not let us know you are expecting, so please do tell us.
It is also really helpful to know what medication you are taking in relation to the pregnancy – this included any vitamins especially for the babies benefit. We also benefit from knowing about any specific medical issues or advice given to you by your doctor or midwife, and can adjust your treatment plan based on this information if we need to.
X-rays
Generally, we will not X-ray a pregnant patient unless it is absolutely necessary and the patient is experiencing a dental emergency, in which case extreme caution is used to protect both mother and child.
Checkups
It is extra important you attend your checkup with us at our NW8 clinic when you are pregnant. Gum disease is something your dentist will want to keep checking for because your hormones are different when you are pregnant and leave you at a higher risk of periodontal issues. During this time you can also talk to us about any issues you have been having with your gums or teeth, any cravings you might be having that could be affecting your oral health (lemons are a common craving that affects oral health) and ask us for any advice on oral health issues.
Oral Health
Oral health care should remain regular and diligent, and you don’t need to do anything special apart from avoiding mouthwash which contains alcohol and checking for potential signs of pregnancy gingivitis.
Morning Sickness
Really bad morning sickness can unfortunately stop some people brushing their teeth during pregnancy. If this is the case, using a bland toothpaste usually helps and we can recommend brands to you. It is also important to rinse the mouth out after morning sickness which brings up acid that can affect the teeth. If you brush your teeth straight after vomiting, you will be brushing your teeth when they are softened from the recent acid attack so wait for at least an hour, rinsing with water in the meantime.
Eating For You & Baby
Healthy eating should be a priority when you are pregnant. Bad habits like smoking should be avoided at all costs not only for your oral care, but for the baby’s health as well (if you need support with this issue, please visit the NHS website).
You should also be avoiding sugary snacks as much as possible and making every effort to maintain a balanced diet. Three months into your pregnancy your little one will start to develop their teeth, so excellent sources of calcium like collard greens, broccoli, fortified cereals, fortified soya milk (and fortified nut milks), sardines and dairy should be consumed, as well as plenty of vitamin D, C, A, protein and phosphorous.
After You Have Had The Baby
If you have maintained a good oral healthcare routine during your pregnancy, any dental issues that have occurred should gradually disappear after the baby is born. We understand that life with a brand new baby can be tough, but it is still important to look after yourself. We recommend you pop in for a dental checkup after you have had your baby so we can give you a thorough checkup, complete any treatments we had to delay because of the pregnancy, and also chat to you about caring for your teeth and your new baby’s teeth (when they come through).
Abbey Road Dental, Proud To Be The Family Friendly Dentist
Here at Abbey Road Dental Care, we are the family friendly dentist, which means we have many patients who we knew before they had a family, and now we treat their entire family – many of our younger patients, we first met as mere bumps! We can help you get easy, clear dental advice and treatment before, during and after your pregnancy, and help you prepare for helping your baby grow a healthy smile and attitude to their own oral care. Need a checkup? Give us a call on 02076241603 and we will happily get you booked in.