Three dental tips mums-to-be NEED to know

You’ve taken the test (yes, that test) and the result is positive. Hurrah! So, you’ve called your family to share the exciting news, you’ve already come up with a list of possible perfect baby names, and you’ve rung your dentist to book in an all-important mum-to-be dental check-up. Wait, what?

Visiting the dentist isn’t exactly on the top of the priority to-do list for those starting a family, but Oral-B advisor and leading Australian Dentist Dr Chris Ho says it most certainly should be. Aren’t convinced? Here are Dr Chris’ top three dental tips for optimal oral care during pregnancy…

PREGNANCY DENTAL TIP #1: do book a check-up
During pregnancy, women tend to be more susceptible to gingivitis because of hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body. So, one of the last health checks you should consider when starting a family is visiting your dentist for a check-up and clean.

PREGNANCY DENTAL TIP #2: watch out for gum disease
Gum disease is extremely common during pregnancy – around 70 per cent of pregnant ladies suffer from some form of it – so it’s important to watch out for these warning signs: tender, swollen or red gums; bleeding gums when you brush or floss; and lingering bad breath or a constant bad taste in your mouth. If you have any of these symptoms or think you might have gum disease, it’s important to visit your dentist or hygienist straight away for a professional clean and examination. If it’s caught early enough, gum disease can usually be reversed or controlled.

PREGNANCY DENTAL TIP #3: brush your teeth properly
Women tend to snack and drink more frequently throughout the day when they’re pregnant, this we know. But if said frequent snacking includes sugary foods, the chance of cavities forming increases, so it’s important to maintain exceptional brushing habits. This means brushing for two minutes, twice a day, every day. However, many people think they’re brushing for two minutes when in fact they’re actually brushing for much less time. Purchasing a toothbrush with an inbuilt timer is an ingenious way to help ensure you reach the dentist recommended time of two minutes. We love the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide for this exact reason, but also because of its unique a display unit that guides you as you brush, showing which quadrant to focus on and how much pressure to use. Brilliant.

A final wise word from bh: if you’re thinking about conceiving but haven’t visited your dentist for a while, now is definitely the time to do it. This will ensure any issues are detected and fixed before you fall pregnant – because once you’re carrying that bub, things like x-rays, anaesthetics and pain-killers aren’t always advised (and who wants to have a dental procedure without pain-killers?).

Did you know dental health was so important during pregnancy? If you’ve had a child, did you experience any dental issues while pregnant? And if you’re a mum-to-be, will you be paying more attention to your oral health from now on?