During the nine months of pregnancy, your baby goes from a couple of cells to a full-fledged person. Each stage of development is miraculous and awe-inspiring, but pregnancy also brings a few inherent pitfalls, including the potential for poor oral health.
At OK Tooth in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Dr. Charles M. Marks and our team of dental experts offer specialized care for moms-to-be. Here, we explain the unique issues you face during your pregnancy so you can address and prevent oral health problems before they affect you and your unborn child.
Pregnancy comes with significant health concerns, from morning sickness and swollen ankles to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. You can add oral health care to that list as well. Here’s a look at a few dental issues you should know about during your pregnancy.
As your hormones fluctuate and your baby develops, your body undergoes massive changes. Some — like your growing belly — are obvious, and others occur behind the scenes. Gingivitis, the precursor to gum disease, is one of the sneaky changes that can occur during pregnancy.
Up to 75% of all pregnant women suffer from gingivitis, which begins as mild gum inflammation but can progress into periodontitis if you don’t treat it early.
Advanced periodontitis causes your gums to become spongy and loose, making it difficult for them to hold onto your teeth. If you ignore your infected gums, you risk tooth loss.
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to cavities than other people. This may be due to increased carbohydrates in your diet, which can lead to tooth decay. Also, morning sickness and vomiting can damage the tooth enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to decay. One-fourth of pregnant women have cavities.
Pregnancy isn’t a medical condition; it’s a normal, healthy state, but it can lead to problems if you don’t pay attention to the changes and take good care of your health. Your oral health needs extra care during pregnancy, too, to offset the changes caused by fluctuating hormones.
Studies show that untreated infections in your mouth can lead to:
Keeping regular appointments with our team at OK Tooth can help you prevent these complications. We monitor your oral health as your pregnancy progresses and give you tips for keeping your mouth infection-free.
We mean it when we say you’re brushing and flossing for two. Your oral health directly impacts your unborn and newborn baby.
Caring for your own teeth and gums sets the stage for your whole family to practice good oral hygiene and experience fewer dental issues. To help you, we offer preventive dentistry services, including brushing and flossing instructions for the whole family.
To ensure your oral health is in top condition during pregnancy and beyond, schedule a visit at OK Tooth. Call us at 212-651-4121 or request an appointment online today.
