There are a lot of things to keep in mind when you are planning to bring a child into the world. One of the most important things to focus on is your health. To ensure both you and baby are healthy throughout your pregnancy, you want to be sure to take good care of your teeth.
Oral health before, during, and after pregnancy is essential not only for your overall health, but the health of your baby as well. Consider the following tips for maintaining your oral health at every stage of your pregnancy. While proper dental care involves more than just seeing your Royal Oak, MI dentist for a checkup, our team at North Oaks Dental can help make sure you are getting the care you need. Call us at 248-712-1522 if you have any immediate questions while you are reading this post.

Dental Care Before Pregnancy

  • Keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing and flossing.
    • Brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice each day.
    • Floss between your teeth and behind your very back teeth at least once per day, paying special attention to the area near your gums.
  • See your dentist for a checkup, examination, and professional cleaning.
  • Take care of any necessary dental procedures or treatments before getting pregnant.

Dental Care During Pregnancy

  • It is typically recommended that you avoid additional dental work during the first trimester.
  • Tell your dentist that you are pregnant.
  • Make note of any inflammation of the gums or gingivitis, as these are common during pregnancy because of changing hormones.
  • If you experience morning sickness, don’t brush your teeth immediately after. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and use a mouth rinse that contains fluoride.
  • Despite sugary foods being a common craving during pregnancy, limit the amount you indulge in.
  • Maintain a healthy diet that is loaded with vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and calcium for to ensure the health of your teeth.

Dental Care After Pregnancy

  • Make an appointment to see your dentist for a checkup soon after delivery.
  • X-rays, nitrous oxide, and local anesthetics are all safe while breastfeeding.
  • Begin proper care of your child’s oral health by wiping their gums with a damp washcloth after each bottle feeding or breast feeding.

After having your baby, you should begin thinking about caring for their teeth as well as your own. The key things to remember are to teach your children good oral health habits as early as possible, and to take them to see a dentist for their first checkup before they turn one.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call our Royal Oak, MI dental office any time. We are more than happy to help. At North Oaks Dental, we have the experience and training necessary to ensure you get the dental care you need at every stage of your pregnancy, including before you get pregnant and after your baby is born. Call our office today at 248-712-1522 to schedule an appointment and see what we can do for you.