Taking care of yourself should be first on the top of your do list if you are planning on starting a family or are already pregnant.
After all if you are not healthy chances are your baby is not as healthy as they can be.
A healthy mouth is not always something we think about, let alone put at the top of our list when we are planning for a baby.
Did you know…….
Your baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. Before you even give birth. To help the teeth develop they need enough vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, Vitamins A,C,D and calcium to name a few.
The health of your mouth affects the health of your baby.
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life! Ready or not there is so much to consider when starting a family, you want to do everything possible to give your little bundle of joy a happy healthy life.
Your body will be going through a lot of changes and that includes your mouth. When you are pregnant an increase in hormones can exaggerate the way your gums react to plaque buildup.
You may notice that your gums are puffy, sore, or bleed easily. If you have puffy gums before you are pregnant it will get much worse when you are pregnant and can have negative effects on your baby. Like low birth weight or preterm delivery.
Pregnancy gingivitis can happen as early as the first month of pregnancy. It is the plaque and lack of brushing the gums properly, not the hormones that lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, an early stage of gum disease caused by the buildup of plaque, (a sticky colorless, biofilm containing bacteria) that is left undisturbed.
If you have gum disease, it could affect your baby’s birth weight. Your baby can be smaller or be delivered sooner than anticipated.
To prevent pregnancy gingivitis, brush twice a day and floss once a day. I could not use toothpaste during my pregnancy without getting sick. So, I skipped the toothpaste and used a mouth rinse after brushing to freshen my breath.
The health of your mouth is important to your overall health, but it is equally important to the future health of your baby. Make your oral health care a part of your prenatal care routine.
The health of your mouth is just as important after you deliver your baby.
Maintaining a routine for yourself will also ensure you create a good routine for your infant and toddler. Our children mimic what we do so we need to set a good example.
Tell- show -do worked well for me and my daughter, as well as the kids I see in my day to day practice.
Brushing twice a day, morning and night, will set both you and your baby up for success and reduce your chances of dental disease and other diseases.
Always do what you are comfortable with and trust your gut instincts when It comes to your health and the health of your baby.
A Healthy Mouth- Healthy Mom- Healthy Baby.
Resources and Links
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