When you are pregnant, you should take care of your oral hygiene more than ever. The bad condition of the teeth and gums may have a negative effect on a child. Caries is the most dangerous. However, tartar and periodontal diseases also count. Anything can be bad for your newborn.
It has been proven that caries,tartarand periodontal disease can be an indirect cause of low birth weight in a newborn and cause premature contractions. Caries also increases the risk of infection during and shortly after birth.
Proper tooth brushing is essential
The most important hygienic procedure is brushingteeth . Obvious? Not exactly: expectant mothers often bleedgums(this is caused by vasodilation and increased fragility due to hormonal changes during pregnancy). Therefore, it happens that they forget to brush their teeth or brush them too shortly and inaccurately, believing that this will prevent bleeding from the gums. This is a mistake - properly brushing your teeth is crucial to keeping them he althy. You should clean them at least twice a day for at least two minutes.
Note: when buying toothpaste, pay attention to the fluoride content. It should be between 1000 and 1500 ppm, because only then does the paste protect against cavities. If you can't stand the smell and taste of mint toothpaste, get yourself a fruit, herbal or homeopathic toothpaste.
Oral hygiene: not only a toothbrush
After washing, be sure to use an irrigator or dental floss to thoroughly clean the spaces between your teeth from food residues (you can also use mini-wipers available in stores and pharmacies - tiny "wipes"). If you are prone to caries, rinse your mouth with a special fluid with fluoride. The toothbrush is also important - with bleeding gums, it is better to use a soft or very soft one than a hard one. Remember to change it every three months.
ProblemDiet for teeth
Limit sugar in various forms (not only sweets contain it, but also juices or sweetened carbonated drinks) and do not eat between meals. After eating something sweet, brush your teeth and rinse them with warm water as a last resort. This will reduce the riskrinsing out mineral substances from the enamel, and consequently - the development of caries.
Sick Gums During Pregnancy
If your gums are bleeding a lot, go to the dentist. It may be a symptom of gingivitis. In this case, the gums are soft, swollen and very sensitive to touch, sometimes there are pockets in which pus accumulates, and there is also an unpleasant smell from the mouth. Then specialized treatment is necessary. If it turns out that the bleeding is caused by pregnancy, your dentist will recommend you an appointment with a hygienist and a procedure for cleaning your teeth from tartar and plaque, along with instructions on how to care for oral hygiene. He can also recommend a suitable toothpaste and write down preparations to relieve pain from irritated gums.
Proper brushing: better long and gentle
Also ask him to assess whether you are brushing your teeth correctly - perhaps the cause of the bleeding is too much brushing. It is better to clean your teeth more gently, but longer, even 4-5 minutes. Some dentists advise women suffering from bleeding, swollen gums to rinse them with warm chamomile infusion, which soothes irritation and prevents inflammation. You can also use ready-made preparations that have a soothing and shrinking effect on the gums. Sometimes it also helps to massage the gums with a soft brush.
wait with teeth whitening
You can use gentle whitening toothpastes during pregnancy ( although most dentists do not recommend them during this period), but you should not buy specialized whitening strips and gels. Also postpone the decision about the whitening session in the office. The ingredients in tooth whitening preparations - especially brightening carbamide peroxide - have not been tested for possible effects on the developing fetus.
Oral hygiene: language is also important
In addition to your teeth, you should also brush your tongue. On its back part, anaerobic bacteria accumulate, producing volatile sulfur compounds - gases toxic to tissues. Studies have shown that anaerobic bacteria are not only the cause of tooth decay, but also cause gingivitis and bad breath. To get rid of them, after brushing your teeth, you need to clean the tongue with a special brush, the structure of which is adapted to its rough surface. Clean your tongue from back to front, then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
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