Pregnancy and Your Dental Health

Please accept our congratulations on the soon-to-be addition to the family!! We are happy for you, and would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information on how to take care of your dental health during and after pregnancy.

·         Nutrition is very important because your baby gets nutrients from you. Foods with calcium (milk, broccoli, low fat cheese) and vitamin D are recommended.

·         Hormonal changes can make your gums sore, swollen and bleeding. Brushing with a clean, new (under 2 months) and soft toothbrush at least twice a day can help. Flossing is as important as brushing and we recommend that you floss at least once a day. Don’t forget to brush your gums and tongue as well.

·         Avoid sugary snacks in between meals. If you have to snack do so immediately after each major meal. Tooth decay is affected by what you eat, how often you eat and how long the food stays in your mouth.

·         A herbal toothpaste with, Echinacea, tea tree oil and/or Co Q 10 can significantly decrease bleeding.

·         Bacteria from tooth decay and gum disease can be passed from mother to child. Regular dental cleanings and visits are necessary to detect early problems.

·         Remember your baby’s teeth begin to develop in the first few weeks of

pregnancy.

·         Nausea and vomiting can occur during pregnancy. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting. This prevents tooth erosion.

·         Avoid smoking even during breastfeeding. 

·         Most foods can pass from you to your baby during breastfeeding.

·         Sugar naturally occurs in breast milk!!

·         Although breastfeeding is the preferred method of infant feeding, your baby can still develop cavities from breast milk once they have teeth.

·         Appropriate breastfeeding and bottle feeding is recommended. Do not let your baby have the bottle in her/his mouth all day, or do not let them sleep with the bottle. There is a direct relationship between inappropriate bottle-feeding and breastfeeding and the incidence of caries (‘nursing bottle syndrome’).

·         Dental evaluations of infants without a history of caries should begin at about 2 ½ to 3 years.

Thank you for your time. We would like to hears from you. Send us your ideas, opinions and comments.