Do You Know How Pregnancy Affects Your Dental Health?
If you are pregnant then we’d like to offer our warmest congratulations, but are you aware of how pregnancy affects your oral health? In fact the changes can be considerable and you will need to take extra care to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This is because of the hormonal changes that take place at this time.
Are You Aware Your Risk of Gum Disease Increases?
During pregnancy levels of the hormone progesterone increase and this makes it easier for certain bacteria to grow. In addition, progesterone increases the gum tissue’s sensitivity towards plaque. This means the body’s response to any toxins produced by plaque bacteria will be exaggerated. These changes increase your risk of developing gum disease, a condition called pregnancy gingivitis, and if you already have gum disease then it may worsen during pregnancy.
How Can You Enjoy Good Oral Health During Pregnancy?
Even though you are more at risk, you don’t have to develop pregnancy gingivitis. Ideally visit us for a full checkup before you become pregnant but otherwise book an appointment as soon you know you are pregnant. We’ll be able to fully assess your current dental health and can recommend the most suitable treatment plan to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong during pregnancy. It could be that more frequent professional cleanings are all that’s required.
What Are the Benefits of Having Good Oral Health During Pregnancy?
It’s well worthwhile preventing gum disease during pregnancy as having advanced gum disease can increase your risk of a low birth weight or premature birth. At least two major studies have shown a link between premature birth and gum disease.
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