A toothbrush for two: everything you need to know about oral hygiene during pregnancy
How Does Pregnancy Affect Oral Health? If this is your concern, check out everything you need to know about oral hygiene during pregnancy.
The topic of oral hygiene during pregnancy is surrounded by a myriad of myths that often make pregnant women and their partners worried or concerned about their health and children. Have you ever heard that the baby steals football from the mother? Or that a pregnant woman shouldn't go to the dentist? We (and science) see them as fiction and superstition, but there are indeed a few things you need to know about oral hygiene during pregnancy.
Oral hygiene during pregnancy: precautions to be taken
Being pregnant doesn't necessarily mean dental problems. However, in this period the health of the oral cavity is particularly delicate because the physiological increase of two hormones (progesterone and estradiol) occurs, which favors the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. For these reasons, meticulous oral hygiene during pregnancy is essential. Among the most frequent manifestations we find the development of caries and the appearance of swollen gums or gum problems, such as bleeding. A daily salt rinse, about a teaspoon dissolved in a cup of warm water, could help with inflammation and bleeding of the gums - just turn it in your mouth for a few seconds before spitting.
The Italian Ministry of Health has created recommendations for the promotion of oral health in perinatal age
These recommendations can be summarized in:
Don't stop going to the dentist
Despite what all doctors say, go to the dentist if you need to. In fact, it is advisable to have a check-up at the dentist at the beginning of pregnancy. Dentists are doctors and know what is safe and what is not for you and your baby. Most dental x-rays today are perfectly safe for pregnant women, as they do not affect the abdomen or pelvic area. And remember, an untreated mouth infection can adversely affect your baby's health. Oral care during pregnancy takes care of both of you. During the first trimester it is useful to go to the dentist for the diagnosis and any treatment of pathological processes that require immediate treatment, while the period of time between the 14th and 20th week is ideal for providing dental treatment.
Brush normally, two or three times a day
Brushing your teeth is always necessary, oral hygiene during pregnancy should not be neglected at all. Then, continue brushing normally, with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to avoid plaque buildup. Avoid drinking alcohol with mouthwash, however, especially if you have sensitive gums or gingivitis during pregnancy. Many women experience cravings during pregnancy, whether they are salty or sweet. If you can't avoid it between meals, be sure to brush your teeth to prevent cavities or at least rinse your mouth thoroughly with water - it's not as efficient as brushing your teeth, but it's better than nothing. The use of chewing gum without sugar or containing xylitol is also recommended.
Brushing your teeth after morning sickness: a big no-no!
Morning sickness can be quite severe in some women and can lead to a lot of vomiting for the first two months of pregnancy. Also common with morning sickness is acid reflux. Morning sickness normally resolves from week 16 to week 20, but until then it can be difficult to manage. Vomiting and reflux expose the teeth to stomach acids which can cause tooth erosion and increase the risk of tooth decay by dissolving tooth enamel. Therefore, it is important not to brush your teeth for 30 minutes to one hour after vomiting or reflux. This is because the tooth enamel is still softened. Instead, it is advisable to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water with a small amount of dissolved bicarbonate (one teaspoon) to neutralize the acidity of the oral environment.
Reduce the risk of dental disease in their children
All health professionals should advise women to clean the baby's gums even before tooth eruption, after feeding, with a soft gauze or a very soft bristled toothbrush even when the first teeth come out.
Limit sugary foods only during meals and put the baby to bed with a pacifier or a bottle containing drinks other than water.
A very wrong thing is the exchange of saliva, for example the sharing of the spoon of the baby food or the pacifier, or the cleaning of the pacifier with your own saliva, the exchange of saliva during games.
Choose the safest path: it becomes natural!
And since health is your concern here, why not start using a natural toothpaste? Traditional toothpaste is known to contain microplastics and many other dangerous or even toxic ingredients, which are not wanted in their body in general, let alone during pregnancy.
Do you want to know more about BribeUShop products? Our products are completely safe for your oral hygiene during pregnancy, as well as before and after. Check out toothbrushes and ECO floss are environmentally friendly and plastic-free.
In this article we remind you why it is important to switch to a bamboo toothbrush.
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