Common Oral Health Changes to Expect When Pregnant

Pregnancy brings about a number of changes in your body. Some beautiful and others not so glamorous. Your mouth may be the farthest thing from your concerns when you are pregnant but it shouldn't be. There are a number of changes in your mouth and you should pay attention to anything out of the ordinary. Take a look below to learn what you can expect (pertaining to oral health) when expecting!

Common Oral Changes when Pregnant:

-Gum inflammation is a common symptom of pregnancy. More likely during the second trimester, you may notice your gums being swollen, tender, or bleed more than normal.

-Tooth decay and/or gingivitis is more common in pregnant women. Your body may not be able to fight off plaque like it once did.

-Growths under the skin in the mouth, known as pregnancy tumors, are caused by excess plaque in the mouth.

-Oral infection is more common when pregnant due to your body being more susceptible to bacteria and plaque buildup.

Prenatal Care for Your Mouth:

Focus on Oral Care
Make sure taking care of your teeth and gums is a top priority, especially when you are pregnant. It's important to brush your teeth twice each day (once in the morning and again at night) AND floss between your teeth at least once a day. This can help clean your teeth and reduce your chance of plaque and germs building up. This can also help to keep oral infections away - which can be dangerous for your baby.

Schedule a Regular Check Up
Don't forget to visit the dentist on a regular basis. It's recommended to have an oral check-up every six months. Since a pregnancy is nine months, your next dentist visit should fall within the six months range. When you do visit your Springfield, MO dentist, it's important to let everyone know about your pregnancy so they are aware before performing any procedures that may be potentially hazardous to you or your baby.

Address any Issues 
Any oral issues should be addressed right away. It's best to have a concern looked over as soon as possible to help reduce the chance of your condition worsening. If you are worried about your teeth, gums, tongue, or other concern, contact your dental professional in southern Missouri right away!

Now that you've learned a little more about the changes that can take place with your oral health when pregnant, and what to do if you experience these changes, you're ready to be on the lookout. As you and your body go through this beautiful process, it's important to focus on health - oral health included. Don't forget to visit the dentist when you are pregnant to monitor any changes that may be taking place within our mouth. Give Access Dental & Dentures a call at 877-DENTIST to schedule an appointment today. Let our dentist in Southern Missouri know that you are pregnant before performing any checkup or procedures.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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