If you have recently found out that you are pregnant, congratulations! Especially if this is your first, this can be a time of both wonder, as well as incredibly elevated levels of stress and anxiety. Regardless of how calm you may feel about the future, however, you need to make sure to properly manage your oral health during this time.
Pregnant people are much more susceptible to periodontal, or gum, disease. Today, your Cerritos, CA dentist explains how you are at risk, and what the dangers could be if you don’t take care of your oral health during pregnancy. As well, we will dive into the possible damage that can be done during this time and the necessary steps.
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Periodontal disease is the severe infection of the gum tissue, and can show in a few different ways. But issues with the gums should never be ignored, as they can cause serious harm to your smile. And without surgical correction, the situation is unlikely to remedy itself. If it goes deep enough, the infection can lead to the loss of bone matter within the jaw. That, as you might imagine, can be highly dangerous to our smile and facial structure.
Mostly, this comes about due to a lack of oral hygiene and a strict daily routine. People are inclined to feel that they are brushing too hard when they see blood in their sink. But our mouths are designed to withstand more pressure than that, it is most likely a sign of gingivitis, the initial steps of periodontal disease.
Changes Within Your Body
As your pregnancy develops, your body will undergo an immense amount of changes, including the hormones that you produce. This is helpful to the development of the child, but the body pulls back on how much it protects the mother’s mouth. So at this time, you may be more susceptible to infection.
This is why most dentists want to see their patients sometime in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Your risk of gum disease is seriously elevated, and if we can catch chances in the mouth sooner, the better. Preventive care can stop damage before it occurs, saving time and money. And it’s ideal for you to keep as much natural healthy matter of your own as possible.
Pay Attention
Some of the most important things you can do to protect your smile during this time is to put a little bit more effort than you maybe want to right now. Be sure that you are flossing before you brush, which should be twice daily at the very least. And if you have a late night craving, brush again before you go to sleep. Leaving bacterial growth overnight can do lasting damage without you even noticing.
It is also important to maintain a varied diet through to term. Without proper nutrition, your immune system has less with which to fight infection, and the body is stretched to its limit. Make sure you have the strength to keep yourself safe.
ABOUT YOUR CERRITOS, CA, ORAL SURGEON:
Dr. Shawn Hofkes and the staff at Cerritos Dental Surgery are highly qualified to address complex issues, including those that require oral surgery to correct. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
