Dental hygiene is extremely important when you are pregnant. As you know hormonal changes occur during pregnancy and these hormonal changes can increase the risk of gum disease.

Here are some top tips for establishing and maintaining good dental hygiene prior and during pregnancy:

Have major dental surgery before a pregnancy

A woman should take proper care of her teeth before pregnancy to avoid needing major treatments that require general or local anesthesia that could harm an embryo or fetus.

A few of the major treatments to get out of the way before becoming a mother include root canals or dental implant procedures.

By brushing teeth at least twice a day along with flossing in the evening before bedtime, a woman is less likely to develop cavities or gingivitis that requires dental care when pregnant.

Schedule a professional teeth clean

Cavities are caused by bacteria attacking the hard exterior enamel and soft pulp of teeth, causing small holes that require fillings. By visiting a dental facility every six months, a dentist is able to find small cavities in early stages before serious damage occurs.

During these routine dental visits, a woman considering a future pregnancy can also have plaque removed from her teeth with a cleaning procedure to prevent decay and halitosis.

• Five high-protein snacks for pregnant women
• How to care for babies teeth and gums

Wear braces to make it easier to consume nutritious foods

If a woman is informed that her teeth are misaligned, then getting braces can improve her bite in order to consume healthy foods. The ability to eat nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables, before, during and after pregnancy is vital for maintaining health.

The best time to straighten teeth is before pregnancy to get a woman’s body in its best condition.

It is also possible to wear braces during or after pregnancy to keep teeth spaced correctly.

Correctly aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss

When a woman has straight teeth, she is able to brush and floss better to remove food to avoid bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.

Because a woman is able to remove bacteria from her mouth, the pathogens do not enter the bloodstream to reach a fetus.

To help prevent a premature birth or low birth weight of an infant, begin far in advance of a pregnancy to resolve major dental health issues.

Wear a mouth guard during sport activities

Of course, it is possible for a woman to require emergency dental care when pregnant due to a chipped or dislocated tooth, but with proper precautions this situation rarely occurs.

When a pregnant woman’s obstetrician tells her it is acceptable to participate in sport activities, it is still wise to wear a dental mouth guard to protect the teeth. The best mouth guards are custom-made by a dentist from a mould.

When a woman’s body changes due to pregnancy, she needs to have a new mould made to protect her teeth correctly from dislocations or chipping injuries.

While having a new mould made, a woman should have a thorough examination to find other problems that are safe to remedy while pregnant.

Use the correct oral health care products during pregnancy

A woman’s hormone levels are changing constantly during pregnancy, requiring new oral health care products and regimens.

Some women develop a dry mouth condition, leading to food sticking to their teeth while others have excess saliva that causes tooth decay because of extra acid in the mouth.

Women with nausea or morning sickness have additional dental health problems that can cause extreme halitosis or irritated gum tissue.

Continue to care for teeth after giving birth

Pregnant women may need to brush their teeth frequently to remove debris or use mouthwash to freshen their breath.

After giving birth, a new mother will experience huge changes in hormone levels again that affect the mouth’s structures, including the gum tissue and tongue.

In addition, while caring for an infant many women have little time for oral health care.

Nevertheless, it is vital that a woman continue to floss and brush her teeth after consuming food to avoid dental decay.

Did you experience any changes to your teeth or gums when you were pregnant?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com