By taking care of your oral health while pregnant, you are giving your child a great start in life. Practising good oral hygiene, healthy eating and healthy drinking habits and having your gums checked before or during pregnancy, will help prevent gum disease.
Eat well
Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods every day will contribute to good oral health. A healthy, well-balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, grains and cereals, calcium enriched foods such as dairy products or soy-based substitutes, and lean meats, chicken and fish. Try to limit your intake of sweet and sugary foods.
Drink well
Water is the best choice of drinks for good oral health. Water doesn’t contain the sugary acids that can cause tooth decay. Try to limit your intake of sweet, sugary drinks. Dairy milk or soy alternatives are also good choices as they are important sources of calcium. Calcium is important for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth.
Clean well
Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day, particularly after meals. When you brush, aim the bristles of the toothbrush at the gum line. A soft brush and fluoride toothpaste is recommended. Flossing once a day is also recommended
Gum disease and pregnancy
Many women can develop gum disease during pregnancy because of natural hormonal changes in the body. If gum disease becomes severe, the infection can affect an unborn baby’s development. Severe gum disease in an expectant mother can increase the risk of premature birth and of delivering a low birth weight baby. There may be possible long-term health risks for a child born prematurely or of low birth weight.
Signs of gum disease include:
- bleeding gums
- red gums (instead of pink)
- swollen gums
- bad breath.
If you suspect you may have gum disease, talk to a dentist or other oral health professional. Gum disease can be treated, although the type of treatment will depend on the severity of the infection.
Smoking
Smoking while pregnant places a woman at even greater risk of developing gum disease. Apart from stained teeth and bad breath, people who smoke are more likely to:
- have an increased build up of plaque on their teeth because of the reduced production of saliva.
- have less ability for natural healing to occur.
- develop serious diseases of the tissues of the mouth.
If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.
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