So, you just found out that you are expecting a child after a positive pregnancy test! What a joyous moment! Then, after the initial excitement begins to wear off, you begin to think of everything you need to do. You make an appointment with an obstetrician. You begin looking at baby clothes, car seats, cribs, and all of the other items you are going to soon need. You begin taking prenatal vitamins. You begin to babyproof your home. Rest assured, you are doing all of the best things you can do, you are making all of the necessary preparations. However, there is one thing that quite often gets forgotten. Dental care. This is not to say that a woman forgets to take care of her teeth the moment she finds out she is pregnant. Rather, this is saying that, with so many things to think about, it is easy to let dental care slide. If you have recently discovered that you are pregnant, are currently trying to get pregnant, or are looking to change your dental care routine while pregnant, you have come to the right place. Here, you will find tips that encompass the time before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, and after delivery. 

 

First, the question of whether or not you are currently going to a dentist regularly must be addressed. It is always a good idea to attend regular dental appointments. If you have already established this routine, fantastic! If not, there is no better time than the present. If you already have a dentist that you know and trust, continue making appointments as normal. If you do go for a dental appointment during your pregnancy, be sure to inform your dentist that you are pregnant. Any routine dental care can be performed while you are pregnant. Also, any emergency dental situations that arise during pregnancy can be taken care of as well without fear. However, any dental related procedure that is considered elective, should be postponed until after you have delivered your child. If you are in doubt about something, in particular, you can always consult with both your dentist and your obstetrician. If you are in need of a dentist, consider Wentzville Dentist. They are a family dental practice. If this is not an option for you, take some time to research the options available to you locally. From there, you will be able to look at websites and online reviews to gain some understanding of each dental office and make an informed decision.

 

Now, it is time to discuss the time before you become pregnant. Keep in mind, this is only advice intended for women attempting to become pregnant. If you are already pregnant, simply skip ahead. Do not be concerned that you have done something wrong if you did not do everything listed here. Now, onto the advice. First, if you do not already have a good daily dental routine, now is the time to establish one. It takes approximately ten days of performing an action to make that action a habit. In terms of dental care, you need to make it a habit to brush your teeth twice every single day. You also need to get in the habit of regularly using a mouth rinse and floss. You should brush your teeth for two minutes each time. If you find that this is difficult to achieve, start out slow and work your way up to the full two minutes. Second, make an appointment with your dentist before you become pregnant. Preferably when you first decide to try since there is no way to know at what point after that you will conceive. This way, you can have your teeth cleaned and have your gums checked beforehand. This way, any current problems can be dealt with before you add pregnancy into the mix.

 

Next, what to do during pregnancy. Your obstetrician may provide you with specific instructions for your oral care during pregnancy. If this is the case, simply give a copy of the instructions to your dentist. If no specific instructions are given, you can consult with your obstetrician before agreeing to any type of test or procedure. Also, it is important to provide your dentist with a full list of medications you are taking during your pregnancy. This way, your dentist can be certain that he or she is not going to do something or prescribe something that will interact with one of your other medications. Also, keep in mind that pregnancy causes many hormonal changes and fluctuations. This can cause any number of issues and this includes within the mouth. The gums are especially delicate during this time. If you notice any swelling, sensitivity, or bleeding in your gums, make an appointment with your dentist right away. Most people have heard of gingivitis, but few know that there is such a thing as pregnancy gingivitis. 

 

It is incredibly important to keep up good oral hygiene during pregnancy. Morning sickness often makes women avoid brushing their teeth. This is bad. If you find that morning sickness is having an adverse effect on how often you are able to brush your teeth, there are a few things you can try. First, try switching out your current toothpaste for a bland one. Look for something with little or no taste. Or you can look for something with a taste that you currently enjoy, but even then, keep it mild. Also, in terms of morning sickness, be sure to rinse your mouth after bouts of vomiting. No matter how little or how frequent you actually vomit, try to rinse your mouth every time. You can use either a mouth rinse or just water. If bold tastes make you feel sick, it is better to stick with water. 

 

After you have delivered your beautiful child, your dental routine can go back to what it was before you became pregnant. Of course, this is only if you had a good dental routine. If not, it is time to establish your new routine. Also, if you had any trouble with your gums during pregnancy, be sure to see your dentist soon after you give birth.