Congratulations on this exciting and busy time of your life!
You have so much to think about during pregnancy but don’t forget about your teeth and gums. It may be easy to overlook your mouth, but all the changing hormone levels that occur with pregnancy can actually make some dental problems worse.
Brushing and flossing contributes to your overall health, too, and if your mouth is healthy, it’s more likely that your baby’s mouth will be healthy. Visit our MouthHealthy slideshow for more information about what to expect for your oral health during pregnancy.
It’s important to continue to see your dentist during pregnancy for oral examinations and professional teeth cleanings. Make sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant and about any changes you have noticed in your oral health. Good daily care is vital. That means always brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth once a day, eating a balanced diet and limiting between-meal snacks.
To assist you in making healthy eating choices, the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center has compiled a list of tips to follow during pregnancy that can be found here.
Then test yourself with the Fact or Fiction Pregnancy quiz. Keeping your mouth healthy now can help set up you and your child to be Mouth Healthy for Life.