Can pregnancy affect your oral health?

Are you pregnant and having problems with bleeding or puffy looking gums? Have you ever considered whether pregnancy can have an effect on your oral health? Well, we’re here to tell you that this is a common problem in pregnancy and there’s absolutely nothing to worry about if you get the right advice.

Why does pregnancy affect my oral health?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease. Toothache can also be a problem and getting the right advice can save lots of sleepless nights and worry.

So, what can I do?

 There are a couple of steps which you can make to ensure that your mouth stays in tip-top shape for your time during pregnancy and for a year after!

  1. If you aren’t registered with a dentist, this is the best place to start. Get registered with your local dentist!
  2. If you can or are already registered with an NHS dentist all your care is free for the whole of your pregnancy plus 12 months after the date your baby is born.
  3. Once your baby is born, you can register them too and begin getting great advice about how to manage your own mouth and your new baby’s too!
  4. Your dentist can give you invaluable advice about diet and what to expect from your baby’s dental development. They can even help with teething advice.

Once the baby is born you can safeguard your child’s smile for the future with the help of our Family Care initiative. Find out more here

To register with Darwenside Dental practice, give our friendly team a call on 01254 703020