Pregnancy causes your body to change in many ways, and this includes your teeth. What’s more, it’s important to see a dentist before you get pregnant to make sure any issues with tooth decay are dealt with beforehand. You need to take care of your oral health because severe dental problems can lead to issues with your overall health. Gum disease, for example, has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
By taking care of your teeth before you conceive, you can prevent any current issues from worsening during pregnancy. Dental procedures that require anesthesia and extensive dental work such as a root canal or tooth extraction will need to be done before you become pregnant or wait until after childbirth.
Some of the changes your teeth and gums may experience during pregnancy include:
- Gingivitis—Women are more prone to gum disease (gingivitis) during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and other factors. Tender gums that are inflamed may bleed when you brush or floss.
- Increased Risk of Tooth Decay—Pregnancy heightens your chance of developing tooth decay for several reasons. Morning sickness and a sensitive gag reflex (along with gingivitis) may stop you from brushing and flossing. Morning sickness also ups the amount of acid in your mouth, causing the surface layer of your teeth (enamel) to erode. Consuming more carbohydrates than usual will also increase the risk for tooth decay.
- Tumors on Your Gums—Don’t worry these are not cancerous, but excess tissue growth on the gums, which typically arise during the second trimester. These growths may develop between your teeth because of surplus plaque. They appear red and raw and bleed easily. Pregnancy tumors usually go away following childbirth.
These are just a few of many reasons to have regular dental exams at our Las Vegas Dentistry Office before, during and after pregnancy.
Schedule your dental exam with one of our skilled dentists today at (702) 445-7075. Drs. Chin serve clients in Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson and nearby areas of Nevada.