4 Things You Need to Know About Pregnancy and Oral Care

Photo from zliving.com

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! There are a lot of changes that will happen to your body, so it might be quite an adjustment. With everything going on, it might be easy to neglect your pearly whites when you have a bun in the oven—but don’t! Oral care is part of having a healthy pregnancy.

1. Have regular dental checkups.
If you aren’t doing this yet, it might be the right time to start making it a habit to go to your dentist for regular checkups. Update your dentist about the supplements or medications you take. Your dentist may require you to get more frequent cleanings and your gums may need extra attention, too. Pregnant women are more prone to gingivitis or bleeding gums because of hormones. A more severe form of the condition, periodontis, could put you at risk for premature birth, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnant women), and gestational diabetes.

2. Keep a nutrient-packed diet.
While it's a myth that you lose your teeth when you're pregnant, it's something you won't have to worry about if you eat healthy. You'll need healthy doses of calcium, vitamin A, C, D, protein, and phosphorus. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet and calcium-rich foods such as  yogurt and cheese. If you snack regularly, make sure that you eat foods that do not have high sugar levels, or you might be putting yourself and your baby at risk for diabetes..

3. Stick with your dental routine.
Dental care and oral hygiene should be your priority. It's even more crucial to brush regularly and clean the lining where your teeth and gums meet. Flossing daily is essential, too. Your dentist might prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash if you need it. If you have morning sickness and are vomiting, makes sure you rinse your mouth with plain water or water with a teaspoon of baking soda to prevent acid from destroying your teeth. 

Try Sensodyne Mouthwash for "anti-ngilo" protection for sensitive teeth. You don't want to add pangingilo to your list pf preggy symptoms. It comes in Extra Fresh and Cool Mint flavors. 
Available at leading drugstores and supermarkets.

4. Use safe dental products.
Read the labels of your dental care products. You may also want to try going organic while you're pregnant. Organic or natural toothpastes do not contain harmful chemicals that could have a negative effect on you and the baby in your womb. Stay away from chemicals like parabens, SLS and SLES, saccaharin, and triclosan. Very high levels of fluoride may also be harmful, so it might be best to check with your dentist to be sure. 

Human Nature Natural Toothpaste is powered by GreenMineral Plus, a natural formula that helps fight plaque, tartar, and cavities while keeping your breath fresh naturally. It's even safe for kids to use.
Available at Human nature outlets, dealers, and on humanheartnature.com

Proteq Natural Toothpaste contains aloe vera, tea tree oil, calcium lactate, baking soda, and xylitol that works to prevent cavities, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and gum disease. Plus, it whitens teeth, too!
Available at biblioorganics.com.

Sources:
Healthy Dental Habits to Practice During Pregnancy (mouthhealthy.org) 
Dental Care for Mother and Baby (dentalhealth.org)