Pregnancy and Oral Health

Posted by Dr. Belgin Günay on Tue, 25 Jul 2023

Westboro Dental Centre Dr. Belgin Günay - Dentist Ottawa

How does my Oral Health affect my baby's?

A pregnancy is a time of great joy and expectations for new parents. It is also a time of significant changes to the woman's body. Equally, some of these changes may affect the health of the pregnant patient's mouth. Evidence suggests a strong need to protect against gingivitis and gum disease, as well as decay problems. These problems can also affect the health of the baby including having preterm and low birth weight babies.

In the recent years, maternal periodontal disease/poor oral hygiene has been implicated as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm( premature) births and low birth weight, as well as even miscarriage and stillbirth.

To reduce tooth decay in pregnant women experiencing frequent nausea; try this:

• Eat small amounts of nutritious foods throughout the day;
• Use a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water as a rinse after vomiting to neutralize stomach acid;
• Chew sugarless xylitol containing gum after eating;
• Use gentle toothbrushing and fluoride toothpaste to prevent damage to demineralized tooth surfaces.

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Dentist Ottawa