Yes, it’s safe to see your dentist during pregnancy. But it’s important that you let us know if you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are trying to conceive. As a family dental practice, we treat patients of all ages through every stage of life. This includes pregnancy. Our dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about dental care during pregnancy.
Here’s what you need to know about the different and how our team is ready to help.
Concerned about ? Rest assured, we’ll take every precaution to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Our dentists are also more than happy to provide dental care tips for pregnant women.
Please let us know if your physician has given you any special advice regarding medical care. Likewise, we’ll need to know if your pregnancy is high-risk or if you have certain medical conditions. Depending on your circumstances, our Ann Arbor dentists and your physician may recommend postponing certain procedures until after you’ve given birth.
That being said, it’s not always possible for us to postpone treatment. Sometimes, we need to take action to save a tooth and/or prevent infection from spreading to the rest of the body. In that case, the second trimester is ideal for any dental work you may need during pregnancy.
The third trimester is less ideal for dental work since it may be difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time.
Your body produces high amounts of progesterone during pregnancy, which may reduce your resistance to infection. This means that you’re more vulnerable to plaque, the bacteria that live inside your mouth.
It’s not uncommon for women to experience . That’s why it’s more important than ever that you practice good oral hygiene at home. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. Our dentists can help you develop a pregnancy oral care routine that works for you!
We’ll also be able to remove plaque and tartar during your next teeth cleaning appointment with us. While you’ll be able to remove plaque at home, only a dental professional is able to remove tartar.
Some women get benign pregnancy tumors on their gums during the second trimester. Despite their alarming name, it’s important to know that pregnancy tumors are NOT cancerous. Rather, a “tumor” is a swollen overgrowth of gum tissue that usually emerges between two teeth.
These tumors have a “raspberry” texture and tend to bleed easily. The good news is that they typically disappear after you give birth. Pregnancy tumors are also believed to be connected to plaque buildup, so be sure to continue brushing and flossing during pregnancy.
If you have uncomfortable pregnancy tumors, be sure to call our office. Depending on your situation, we may be able to remove the tumors.
Between experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Although calling it “morning” sickness is a bit misleading.
While most women experience the worst symptoms when they first wake up, you may feel nauseous throughout the day. Each woman is different. As such, your experience during pregnancy may differ from that of your friends and family.
If you need to vomit, swish with water afterwards and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. This will give your saliva enough time to wash away any lingering stomach acid. If you’re still feeling nauseous, consider using unflavored fluoride toothpaste. Often, this is the best toothpaste for pregnancy.
If you brush right away, you’ll only coat your teeth with stomach acid and weaken the enamel. This can make your teeth feel more sensitive to heat and cold. Worn tooth enamel may also lead to cavities if you’re not careful.
For most women, morning sickness starts around 6 weeks. It may then peak between 9 and 10 weeks, and lessen as you approach 12 to 14 weeks.
Ready to take the next step? We offer dental checkups for pregnant women. Our , are also accepting new patients. To request an appointment and learn more about pregnancy dental health, please call Enhance Family Dentistry at (734) 821-7676. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
