Pregnancy is pretty incredible. You’re bringing a new life into the world, you’re growing your family, and you’re becoming a parent again or for the first time. But the reality is, not all things that go along with pregnancy are awesome. At my dental office in Fayetteville, we’d like to talk about one of those less exciting aspects of pregnancy: we’re talking about morning sickness.
Around 80 percent of pregnant women experience some sort of morning sickness. You don’t need us to tell you how much this reality is a huge burden and inconvenience to all aspects of life. We know that during this time your teeth are probably the last things on your mind, but you only get one set, so we’d like to share some information and tips to protect your mouth during pregnancy.
Vomiting or reflux caused by morning sickness can expose the teeth to a large amount of stomach acid. This acid can lead to decay and result in serious oral health concerns. But what can you do to decrease the amount of acid exposed to teeth if you continue to experience morning sickness?
Minimize the Risk of Decay
If you suffer from morning sickness, here are a variety of tricks to help keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy.
- Rinse with water after vomiting. Water is a great way to help remove dangerous acids from the teeth and can diminish the chance of decay.
- Wait to brush. Brushing immediately after vomiting can actually lead to more damage. Since the stomach acid can weaken enamel, scrubbing it with your toothbrush might cause scratching and more dental problems.
- Apply toothpaste. Smearing a small amount of toothpaste on your teeth can protect them against acid.
- Rinse with mouthwash. Choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash to swish around following any episode of morning sickness can also help keep teeth protected from stomach acid.
If you’re pregnant, first accept our sincerest congratulations. Then, call my Fayetteville dental office to get a preliminary check up. We’ll make sure there’s nothing of concern in your mouth and we’ll talk with you about ways to keep your teeth healthy for the duration of your pregnancy and long after.
Welcoming patients in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, and Tyrone.
