Wondering how your pregnancy will affect your oral health care and dental treatment? The good news is that you’ll still be able to receive great dental care during pregnancy. Your regular dental checkup and cleaning is perfectly safe, so there’s no reason to delay your dental visits until after pregnancy. There are, however, a few treatments and products to avoid while you’re pregnant. Let’s take a deeper look at oral health during pregnancy, with some help from your downtown Calgary dentist.

Oral Health While Expecting

If you are planning on trying to get pregnant, the first thing to do is to schedule check ups with your regular doctor and your dentist. If there are any underlying issues it is best to resolve them before attempting to conceive. To help with the health of your baby, many women start folic acid months before trying to get pregnant. Plan ahead in the same way for your dental treatment.

Once pregnant, certain oral health issues become more common during, so it’s important to remain aware of high-risk areas. Tooth decay is common due to changes in diet, while the risk of gum disease increases because of hormonal changes. Stick to your regular schedule of brushing, flossing, and dental visits to diminish your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

• The Canadian Family Physician medical journal indicates that periodontal treatment and the use of local anaesthetics are both safe during pregnancy.
• Studies on dental amalgam, a cavity filling material that contains mercury, are less conclusive. Still, most dentists prefer to avoid placing or removing an amalgam filling during pregnancy.
• Your dentist may recommend that you postpone x-rays until after your pregnancy. Studies have shown that the low-dose radiation from dental x-rays doesn’t impact fetal development, however, so you can have an x-ray if needed in an emergency.
• After a dental procedure, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection. Speak to your dentist to make sure any medications prescribed are safe during pregnancy.
• Elective procedures like teeth whitening should be delayed until after pregnancy, in order to avoid unnecessary risks.
• Most dental procedures, including x-rays, sedation dentistry, and anesthesia are safe during breastfeeding. If you’re unsure whether a procedure or medication is compatible with breastfeeding, it’s always best to ask your dentist.
• Be sure to tell your dentist about any preexisting conditions that might impact your oral health, even if you’re not sure there’s a connection.

Staying Comfortable During Your Visit

Sitting in the dentist’s chair is not always the most comfortable position during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. We’ve got a few helpful tips that will make dental visits while expecting more comfortable, and ensure that you get the best oral care possible throughout your pregnancy.

• Don’t forget to tell your dentist that you are pregnant! The sooner your dentist knows, the easier it is to plan safe, effective oral health care.
• When you come to the office for a visit, bring a pillow from home for extra comfort. We’ll always try to make you as comfortable as possible, but an extra pillow never hurts.
• If you’re anxious about your dental visit or just want a distraction, bring along some of your favourite music to listen to during your visit.
• Maintain your regular flossing and brushing routine during pregnancy. Preemptive maintenance is the best way to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
• Eating a balanced diet is great for your oral health, and your overall health. To minimize the risk of tooth decay, try to avoid food and drink that is high in sugar content.

Maintaining strong oral care during pregnancy isn’t just about comfort. It also helps ensure that you and your baby remain healthy throughout your pregnancy. You won’t have to change much about your oral care routine, but it’s important to remain aware of the few areas that do pose a risk during pregnancy. Your dentist will help walk you through the process, and together you can develop a plan that suits your unique needs.

The team at Loreen Wong Dentistry is happy to help with all of your oral health needs. We offer all the dental treatment services you need to stay healthy in Calgary, and are more than happy to walk you through the process of oral health care during pregnancy.