Your body obviously undergoes all kinds of changes when you are pregnant. But one thing that can sometimes be overlooked during a pregnancy is your dental health. A pregnancy can pose some interesting problems you may not have thought about before. Here's what you need to know to keep your teeth healthy until you come to full-term.

You May Need to Step Up Your Oral Care Significantly

When a woman becomes pregnant, the hormones in her body can cause all kinds of chaos, at least in comparison to what you are used to. One key effect of pregnancy is that it can make your teeth and gums much more susceptible to bacteria. Because of this, it's a good idea to significantly step up your usual routine. Instead of just brushing twice a day, you might want to brush after every meal. Take some mouthwash with you to work if you don't want to brush in the employee restroom. The point is, at least do something to make sure you are combating this change and possible danger to your oral health.

 Morning Sickness Can Have Long-Term Consequences for Your Teeth

No woman likes waking up with morning sickness during a pregnancy. You feel terrible until the moment you can finally get it out of your system. But one consequence of frequent vomiting is that the acid from your stomach will be coming up to your mouth on a regular basis. If you let the acid linger, it could cause damage to your tooth enamel. Keep the mouthwash handy and use it liberally after each incident. If you can't always have the mouthwash with you, try chewing on some sugarless gum.

Let Your Dentist Know to Avoid Dangerous Situations

With a pregnancy expected to last 9 months, chances are you will have at least one dentist appointment during this time frame. If you are not obviously showing yet, you need to let your dentist know what's going on. This is because a number of dental treatments could end up affecting the health of your baby. 

For example, you might not want to have X-Rays taken. You also might need to be cautious about going under sedation or being given certain pain killers. 

Being pregnant can be a joy at times, but you'll need to monitor every part of your body to ensure you get through this time in your life healthy and happy. Keep your dental health in mind and reach out to your local dental services professional if you have any questions.

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