It’s important to keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible during pregnancy. The best way to prevent or treat gum problems is to practice good oral hygiene.
Some woman may suffer from bleeding gums. This is caused by a build-up of plaque (bacteria) on the teeth. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is essentially Pregnancy Gingivitis or Gum Disease.
To prevent this:
• Brush your teeth carefully twice a day for two minutes.
• Floss daily.
• Avoid having sugary drinks (such as fizzy drinks or sweet tea) and sugary foods too often – try to keep them only to meal times.
• If you’re hungry between meals, snack on vegetables and avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
• Arrange an appointment at your dentist for a professional scale and clean early during pregnancy.
If you have morning sickness and you vomit, rinse your mouth afterwards with water and a mouthwash. This will help prevent the acid in your vomit from attacking your teeth. Do not brush your teeth straight away as they will be softened by the acid from the stomach. Wait about one hour before doing so.
