With all of the other things that you have going on during pregnancy, you still need to remember that the incubator (that’s you) is in good working order so that you can do the best (physical) job possible. One thing that you need to be extra vigilant about during your pregnancy is your dental health. During pregnancy you are at a greater risk for gingivitis then at other times in your life. As your hormones take over and direct your body’s workings, certain other functions are knocked down the list of important functions. Your oral well-being is one of them. Your teeth are essentially a fortified extension of bones, which means that they are living components of your body. They require minerals and vitamins to maintain their strength. Calcium is stored in your teeth and may be leeched out if you do not have enough from your diet or vitamin supplements, as it is an extremely important mineral in terms of fetal skeletal development.

 You may also experience an increased amount of bleeding in your gums when you brush and/or floss. This is a result of the increased blood supply of mucus membranes during pregnancy. With all of the specialized functions of our bodies, it doesn’t seem to only enhance the capillary networks of the womb, but all mucus membranes of our body – which may also result in an increase of bloody noses. So it is prudent to step up your oral hygiene efforts for the remainder of your pregnancy. First off make an appointment to see your dentist for a regular check up as soon as possible (unless of course it has been less than 4 months since your last check-up). You want to thwart any issues as soon as possible. Unless it is truly necessary avoid dental x-rays, but if you must – ask for a second lead apron to place over your abdomen. Make sure that you are following normal healthy brushing protocol – brush and floss twice a day for at least 2 minutes per time. If you use mouthwash, check the label to make certain that it is okay to use during pregnancy. Unfortunately it is not common knowledge that some types of mouthwash (especially extra strong ones) are not safe for pregnant or nursing woman as they contain some ingredients that may trigger labor or cause changes in heart rate that are not safe for you – so better safe than sorry on this!

Word of the Week:

gingivitis noun Pathology . inflammation of the gums. (www.dictionary.com)

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