The human body changes when a woman is pregnant. Pregnant women need to take care of their bodies to make sure their baby is healthy. However, many pregnant women forget about the importance of protecting their oral health. In reality, if pregnant women don’t care for their teeth well, they could experience a number of potentially serious issues.

First, if you’re pregnant, you could find yourself at an increased risk for gum disease. You see, while you’re pregnant, you’ll produce more estrogen and progesterone than normal. Sadly, these hormones can actually make your body react more aggressively to the plaque that’s in your mouth–which can lead to inflammation and gum disease. To make matters worse, if you have these issues, you may be more likely to give birth prematurely.

Pregnant women are also more prone to enamel damage and cavities, partially because morning sickness increases the acidity in the mouth. Please note that brushing your teeth right after vomiting may actually be more harmful than helpful. Because acidity can weaken enamel, brushing may damage your enamel further. We recommend waiting about 30 minutes before brushing. You may also want to consider swishing your mouth with water to reduce the acidity.

Of course, we also recommend brushing and flossing properly. Doing so is especially important while you’re pregnant to help hold off gum disease. Also, please remember to follow a healthy diet and to set up an appointment with Dr. James Kinsel. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you have. If you’d like to set up an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact Clear Lake Dental & Associates at 707-994-9414. We’re excited to hear from you.