Dental Health
Healthy teeth and gums help your overall health and well-being. See your dentist before you start trying to become pregnant to talk about your dental care needs before and during pregnancy.
Healthy teeth and gums help your overall health and well-being. See your dentist before you start trying to become pregnant to talk about your dental care needs before and during pregnancy.
Good oral health is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. If you have cavities, gum disease, or other health concerns with your mouth, talk with your doctor about treatment before you start trying to get pregnant.
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy make gums more sensitive to plaque and bacteria. Plaque can lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). The best way to remove it is with regular brushing and flossing.
Gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease – a more serious and advanced inflammation of the gums and the bones that support the teeth.
If you have questions about your oral health, talk with your dentist or dental hygienist.
It’s best to have your dental treatments before you become pregnant. However, if you need dental treatment during your pregnancy, it’s best to have it done during your second trimester.
This is because some people have more nausea during the first trimester. Nausea could feel worse during dental treatments with dental tools or cotton swabs in your mouth.
During the third trimester, many people find lying on their backs uncomfortable, and being in a dental chair might be physically difficult at this time.
During your dental visit, it’s important to tell your dentist if there’s a chance you might be pregnant. Your dentist can then talk with you about your dental treatment.
Learn more about oral health during pregnancy here.
To prevent gingivitis or other oral health problems and have a healthy mouth:
Learn more about food and nutrition and tobacco.
Some signs of gingivitis or other oral health problems include:
Talk with your dentist if you have concerns about the health of your mouth or gums.
Always discuss oral health concerns with a dentist or dental hygienist.
If you need help finding a dentist or dental services, check out these links:
Ready or Not contains a lot of information. So we created My To-Do List for you to use as a personal reminder, share with your partner, or bring to your next check-up.
Be sure to click “Add this to my To-Do List” anytime you see something you want to print, email, save, or share. Because we do not ask for any personal information, your list will only be saved for a week after your last added item.