Congratulations on your exciting news! You have so much to think about during your pregnancy but, you shouldn’t neglect your teeth and gums. Certainly, it may be easy to overlook your mouth, but, it must be remembered that pregnancy can actually make some dental problems worse. Brushing and flossing contributes to your overall health and, if your mouth is healthy, it’s more likely that your baby’s mouth will be healthy too.
See your dentist
It’s important to look after your oral health during pregnancy, continuing to see us for oral exams and professional teeth cleanings. Be sure to tell us that you are pregnant and inform us of any changes you have noticed in your oral health. Good daily care is vital. That means always brushing your teeth twice a day, cleaning between your teeth once a day and, eating a healthy balanced diet.
To assist you in making healthy eating choices, we have put together a short list of recommendations that would be beneficial to follow during your pregnancy;
- Eat a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits; vegetables; whole-grain products such as cereals, breads or crackers; and dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese or unsweetened yogurt.
- or snacks, choose foods low in sugar such as fruits, vegetables, cheese and unsweetened yogurt.
- Read food labels so you can choose foods lower in sugar.
- If you have trouble with nausea, try eating small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day.
- Drink water or milk instead of juice, fruit-flavored drinks or soft drinks.
- Drink water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks. Drink fluoridated water (via a community fluoridated water source) or if you prefer bottled water, drink water that contains fluoride.
- To reduce the risk of birth defects, get 600 micrograms of folic acid each day throughout your pregnancy. Take a dietary supplement of folic acid and eat foods high in folate and foods fortified with folic acids, including:
- Asparagus, broccoli and leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and spinach
- Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
- Papaya, tomato juice, oranges or orange juice, strawberries, cantaloupe and bananas
- Grain products fortified with folic acid (breads, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, white rice.)
To schedule an appointment with Dental House please click here. We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding pregnancy and oral health.
Opening April 2016
Leave A Comment