Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Preparing to welcome baby is an exciting, and busy time in the life of any mom-to-be. The preparations needed before baby arrives may seem overwhelming to the point that you forget to take good care of yourself, mama. While prenatal checkups with your obstetrician are probably top priority, have you given much thought to seeing your dentist?
Family dentists in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care want you to know why prenatal dental visits are essential not only for your health but for the health of your unborn baby.
First off, let’s discuss oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing daily is necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. This shouldn’t stop during pregnancy, especially during those bouts of morning sickness where extra acids are lingering in your mouth from having lost your breakfast, or in some cases lunch or dinner! So, be sure that you are brushing twice a day, and flossing daily.
During pregnancy, a mother’s hormones change drastically, which can impact gum health. This is why routine oral hygiene, as well as visiting your dentist in Greeneville for a checkup and cleaning during your pregnancy is a good idea. Here’s what happens when you don’t take good care of your mouth while pregnant.
Forgetting to brush, or neglecting to, leads to a buildup of biofilm on the teeth. This film, if left, will harden and become tartar, which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Ignoring this buildup eventually weakens the dental enamel, making you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, which are both classified as an infection in the mouth. This ongoing, active infection certainly is not healthy for you as it increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes – none of which are good for the baby.
But, the risks do not stop with your own health. Periodontitis or gum disease is linked to causing preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns. This puts both mom and baby at risk over something so simple as taking good care of your teeth. The risks don’t just stop there. Periodontitis is transferable to your baby after he or she is born, which is why we recommended that you do not kiss your baby on the mouth, and once your baby starts eating solids, resist the urge to share a plate of food with your baby. Oral bacteria is easily transmitted from person to person by kissing or sharing eating or drinking utensils.
If you need a dental cleaning in Greeneville while pregnant, we can easily accommodate you at Tusculum Dental Care. We also can help educate you on the importance of good oral hygiene and dental care throughout your pregnancy and beyond. And, when baby gets his or her first tooth, we are well equipped to treat babies as well.
To learn more about our preventive care program or to schedule a consultation, please contact Tusculum Dental Care by calling our office at (423) 639-7575.
Tusculum Dental Care is proud to serve patients in the areas of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee.