Pregnancy And Oral Health

), brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash.

  • SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT YOUR DENTIST
    Keep visiting your board-certified dentist in Columbus, OH for oral exams and cleanings. Be sure to tell your dental team that you are pregnant, or after your baby is born, if you are breastfeeding. They will take more precautions with x-rays and other treatments to make sure they are safe. Your dentist might also recommend products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, that could assist in improving your oral health during your pregnancy and address problems, for example, dry mouth and inflamed gums.
  • BRUSH YOUR TEETH
    In addition to bi-annual professional cleanings at your dentist, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice each day for two minutes. Most dentists recommend a soft-bristled brush during pregnancy so you can gently clean your teeth and massage your gums. Ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate the proper brushing technique during your visits to make sure you are not brushing too hard.
  • DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
    Fight dry mouth and rinse bacteria from your enamel by drinking water during the day. If your city adds fluoride to your water supply (check with your city whether fluoride is added to your water supply) this can help improve your dental health.
  • GETTING A DENTAL TREATMENT DURING YOUR PREGNANCY
    If you need a dental procedure while you are pregnant, like a tooth-colored filling for a cavity or a scaling and root planing, your dentist will help you decide if this can be safely performed. Generally speaking, dental procedures with local anesthesia are best completed during the second trimester. Any procedures that require sedation should be avoided. Avoiding the need for dental procedures is a big reason to take good care of your oral health.

    POST-NATAL DENTAL CARE
    Once your baby is born, make sure to keep taking care of your oral health by brushing and flossing every day. During your next visit to your dentist, ask about scheduling your baby’s first appointment with the dentist. Children should visit the dentist before their first birthday. At this first appointment, your dentist will monitor your child’s oral health and the development of their teeth. Your dentist can also answer your questions about how sucking on their thumb and pacifiers impact your child’s mouth, bottle rot or tooth decay, and other common concerns. At DentalWorks – Easton, our experienced team will work hard to make sure your child has a great first experience at the dentist to help encourage a lifetime of great oral health.

    GOOD ORAL HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY HELPS YOU AND YOUR BABY
    Looking after your oral health while you’re pregnant will decrease your discomfort during this often uncomfortable period and help your baby grow. If you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, schedule a dental exam with your board-certified dentist in Columbus, OH to discover how you can improve or maintain the health of your teeth and gums while pregnant. DentalWorks – Easton offers compassionate care throughout your pregnancy and a positive experience for your whole family.