Pregnancy & Babies
Common Oral HEALTH ISSUES During Pregnancy By Dr. Heather Schneider
IF YOU’RE PREGNANT – or planning to become pregnant
– chances are you know some of the basics about being healthy for you and your baby. Eat a balanced diet. Don’t smoke. Get enough rest. And the list goes on. But did you know that your oral health becomes increasingly important when you’re planning to become pregnant and during pregnancy? Pregnancy can intensify dental disease. Minor dental problems you had before you became pregnant could worsen. Common Dental Issues during Pregnancy Most moms-to-be experience cravings. Additional snacking on sugary foods can lead to increased tooth decay. Try to limit foods containing sugar to mealtimes only. If you do give into one of those Oreo cravings, drink a glass of water while you’re eating, perhaps even swish with it a bit. Then, wait and brush your teeth once 30 to 60 minutes later, which allows time for the acid/sugar buildup to neutralize. If you brush too soon, it can actually cause more harm than good with all that acid and sugar. Beyond this, nausea and vomiting affects 80 percent of all pregnant women. Stomach acid from vomiting can erode
46 January/February 2022
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