PREGNANT? ADVICE FOR THE NEXT 9 MONTHS affordable dentist

image credit: your mom dot com

affordable dentist

Back pain, morning sickness, fatigue, hunger – it’s hard to know exactly what to expect when you’re expecting.  Your teeth may seem secondary to the stereotypical symptoms, but they matter more than you realize.  Here’s what you need to know to keep your smile glowing throughout your pregnancy:

YOUR HORMONES AREN’T THE ONLY THINGS CHANGING.

The same pregnancy hormones causing you to sob during a cute puppy-themed Superbowl commercial affect your teeth as well.  Increased estrogen and progesterone levels multiply dental plaque.  Because of a surplus of the sticky stuff (bacteria) many women are prone to get pregnancy gingivitis.  It’s characterized by inflammation of the gums, swelling, and tenderness.  Plus, studies link periodontal disease to pre-term and low birth weight babies.

YOU’RE EATING (AND BRUSHING) FOR TWO.

The “Eating for 2” cliche makes it easy to justify consuming an entire pint of ice-cream, right?  You do need to consume more when you’re expecting, but not enough to justify eating the whole pint.  Your baby’s teeth start to grow as early as 3 months into pregnancy.  Make 2 smiles and 2 bodies strong:  Eat a balanced diet filled with calcium, phosphorous, protein and vitamins A, C, and D.  Eat healthy and your baby’s kicks will feel more like a high five!

YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE THAN AN ULTRASOUND!

Add a dentist visit to your new nursery and gender-reveal plans.  A dental check-up may not be at the top of your list, but it’s key to a healthy pregnancy.  If you’re newly expecting, make this a priority.  A routine cleaning will help keep your smile on track.

Finally, follow this simple tips to maintain your oral health during this exciting time:  Remember to brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day, paying attention to the gum line as well.  And floss at least once a day.  (Here’s a fun fact about flossing:  If you fail to floss, you’re missing out on cleaning 34% of your teeth’s surface – yuck!)

Click here to learn more about Brilliant Smiles and how we can help YOU maintain your oral AND overall health!