By: Brianne Carter, RDH
Dental health (oral health) is the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. While it’s very important to your overall health, it is a very important part of your prenatal care. Being pregnant can increase your risk of oral health problems, especially gingivitis. One of the first signs of this is bleeding gums while brushing.
Some tips for an expecting mother includes:
- Brush two times per day with a soft bristled toothbrush.
- Flossing daily is important since the toothbrush cannot get between your teeth. With an increase of gingivitis during pregnancy, this is a must.
- Struggling with morning sickness/vomiting? If so, do NOT immediately brush your teeth! It’s recommended to swish with water and wait 30 minutes to brush, since the acidity can harm your enamel. Another tip to help neutralize acid from vomiting is to swish in your mouth with a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of water.
At Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Dental is here to help you with your oral health needs. Please call (405) 948-4900 ext. 263 and schedule an appointment today. Our expecting mothers get priority in acquiring an appointment with a dental health professional.
