Part one in our series on “
pregnancy and dental work” discussed pregnancy gingivitis and granulomas. Part two in this series discusses a few more things you should watch for when you’re pregnant: Pregnancy cavities, dry mouth, excessive saliva and tooth erosion. Today we’ll tell you what causes these things, and what you can do to prevent each of them.
- Dental cavities -- While simply being pregnant doesn’t increase your risk, those crazy cravings can be the culprit. Women often crave sweets and starches during pregnancy. This can make you more susceptible to developing cavities. Again, simply being aware of your diet and paying close attention to your oral hygiene routine can help decrease your risk.
- Dry mouth -- Dry mouth is a common symptom suffered by pregnant women. It really makes sense when you think about it: Dehydration often leads to dry mouth. When a woman is pregnant, her metabolic processes change dramatically, and her body starts storing water. This, along with increased urination, can lead to dehydration. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum or candy can stimulate your saliva production and help fight off that dry mouth feeling.
- Over salivating -- On the flip side of dry mouth is excessive salivation. Typically over salivating occurs in early pregnancy and may coincide with feeling nauseated.
- Tooth erosion -- Frequent vomiting can erode tooth enamel. Bring on the morning sickness, and therein lies the problem. If you’re suffering from severe morning sickness, contact your dentist. They may be able to provide you with some preventative techniques to help combat tooth enamel erosion.
For more information on how to keep your teeth in good condition while you’re pregnant, or just to schedule an appointment, contact
Rigby Advanced Dental. Check in again for more in the coming days in our series on “Pregnancy and Dental Work.” We’ll try to answer some frequently asked (and maybe even some not-so-frequently-asked) questions.
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