Good dental hygiene is always important and can have a knock-on effect on our overall health in a number of ways. On top of that, neglecting to take proper care of our teeth and gums can lead to costly dental treatment and a lot of pain and anguish.
Dental care is not always the first thing that comes to mind when we think about ways to look after ourselves during pregnancy. However, our oral hygiene is perhaps never more important to prioritize than during this time. Hormonal changes can have an impact on our bodies in a variety of ways, and, for some women, this can lead to problematic oral symptoms such swollen gums. In addition to this, research has indicated that periodontitis, otherwise known as gum disease, can potentially lead to premature labor and low birth weight. It is, therefore, important to maintain good dental care throughout pregnancy in order to minimize the risks around this.
Good dental care doesn’t need to be intimidating or add additional stress or pressure to you during this time. It can be considered part of your self-care routine. Take a few extra minutes each day to dedicate to looking after yourself and prioritizing your wellbeing. Here are a few key things to make a part of your daily dental care routine:
In This Article
Floss
Does anyone enjoy flossing? It’s not fun. However, flossing is really the only way to get to those niggly little bits of food and bacteria that become lodged deep between our teeth and have the potential to lead to infection and decay. Its importance can’t be overstated, but many of us neglect it. So get the floss out and make the effort.
Pay attention to erupting wisdom teeth
When wisdom teeth are only partially erupted or in the process of erupting, it can be difficult to keep them clean. Bacteria can become trapped underneath the gum leading to infection, decay, and risk of gum disease. If you are unable to keep them clean or are experiencing pain and recurrent infections, you may want to look into wisdom teeth removal cost as this could be a worthwhile investment.
Don’t neglect your tongue
Bacteria collects on the tongue, meaning that even if we have cleaned our teeth, there is still plenty that we have left behind if this significant surface area has been unattended to. Make sure you take the time to clean your tongue and consider investing in a tongue scraper to help you to pull loose any bacteria or food particles that have camped out there.
Medicated Mouthwash
If you suffer from gum disease or are concerned, speak to your dentist or doctor about a medicated mouthwash that is safe for you to use during pregnancy. There are treatments for gum disease, so this needn’t become a source of additional stress for you during your pregnancy, it is simply something to be managed,
Investing in a few simple tools or making some basic changes can support you to input an effective dental hygiene routine to maintain a healthy mouth and, by extension, a healthy body. These are great habits to get into at any point in life and could save you the hefty cost of future dental treatments or time spent in the dental chair. Consider it an investment in your bank balance, but, more importantly, your health and happiness.
