Dental facts for pregnancy.

Why you should pledge this World Oral Health Day

Whatever your age, taking care of your mouth is crucial for your general health and well-being. If you are pregnant, your mouth can be affected by hormonal changes, so it’s important to pay special attention to your oral health at this time to help keep you and your baby healthy. A good oral hygiene routine, regular dental check-ups and a healthy lifestyle will help protect your mouth and body. Pledge to look after your oral health and inspire others to do the same.

Make a pledge for good oral hygiene

PLEDGE TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH THE RIGHT WAY

Brushing the right way is really important for a healthy mouth. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste. Follow the right brushing technique using either a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush. This means brushing in circular motions – not back and forth. Finally, spit but do not rinse your mouth with water straight after brushing as that can wash the protective fluoride away. Are you doing all these things already? If not, make a pledge to put it right.

 

PLEDGE TO LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR MOUTH DURING MORNING SICKNESS

Morning sickness can affect some women. Gastric reflux (regurgitating food or drink) or vomiting can increase the amount of acid your mouth is exposed to, which can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay. If you vomit, rinse your mouth out with water and either rub toothpaste onto your teeth with your ?nger or use a ?uori-dated mouthwash. You should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

 

PLEDGE TO REPLACE YOUR WORN-OUT TOOTHBRUSH

Brushing your teeth with an old, frayed toothbrush won’t clean your teeth properly. The average life of a toothbrush is about 3 months.

 

 

 

PLEDGE TO FLOSS REGULARLY

Floss and interdental cleaners help you reach those
difficult areas between your teeth. Regular cleaning helps to dislodge food and may reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line. If you don’t do it already, make a pledge to floss daily, or to let your dentist teach you how to do it.

 

 

PLEDGE TO PROTECT YOUR MOUTH WHEN ON THE GO

It’s not always possible to brush your teeth after every snack or meal, especially when you’re on the go. Chew sugar-free gum instead, or rinse with a fluoride mouth-wash.

 

 

 

PLEDGE TO VISIT THE DENTIST

There are so many important things into our busy lives, make sure an appointment to visit the dentist is one of them. During pregnancy, teeth and gums need special attention as the hormonal changes can put you at increased risk for gum disease and tender gums that bleed easily – a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. If tenderness, bleeding or gum swelling occurs at any time during your pregnancy, talk with your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible, they may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent this.

 

PLEDGE TO KEEP YOUR DENTIST INFORMED

Tell your dentist if you are pregnant and if you are taking any medications, or about any other special advice from your medical doctor. If your pregnancy is high-risk or if you have certain medical conditions, your dentist and your doctor may recommend that some treatments be postponed.

 

 

 

PLEDGE TO VISIT THE DENTIST REGULARLY

The best way to protect your mouth is by going to the dentist for regular check-ups and dental cleanings. The dental team will remove any build-up of plaque, which if not managed, can lead to tooth decay. They can also advise on how regularly you need to book an appointment, depending on your speci?c needs.

 

PLEDGE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH YOUR DENTIST FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH

Just like other major diseases, prevention, early detection and treatment are important in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy, and to stop any potential negative effects on the rest of your body and your baby. Even better, when you work together with your dentist, you may avoid needing any treatment at all.

 

 

PLEDGE TO EAT HEALTHY AND LIMIT SUGAR IN YOUR DIET

Eat a healthy diet, with limited snacking of foods and drinks high in sugar*. Consuming protein and calcium-rich foods are beneficial to both you and your developing baby. These include foods such as lean meats, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products as well as dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt etc.). As adults, we should be having no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar daily. Do you think you’re exceeding this? If so…

 

PLEDGE TO PRACTICE GOOD ORAL CARE FOR YOUR CHILD

You can start practising good oral care for your child as soon as he/she is born. As a new mother try not to share saliva with the baby through licking pacifers, sharing feeding spoons or kissing the mouth to avoid bacterial transmission.

 

 

source: world oral health day fact sheet – https://www.worldoralhealthday.org