There are many health considerations women should be aware of when they are
pregnant. Maintaining good oral health is one of them. It’s an important part of your prenatal care, as our patient Engie, Founder of EngieStyle, recently learned from personal experience.
These symptoms had begun at the start of her pregnancy and continued well into her second trimester.
“Since I wasn’t smiling from being embarrassed of my teeth I was getting very depressed which had started to affect my pregnancy and my career. Smiling for me welcomes positive energy into every area of life. My pregnancy has been more difficult than I ever thought it would be, and I had become embarrassed to even communicate my real thoughts on my oral hygiene because I didn’t want to come off as weak or be judged as not being a good mother-to-be. I didn’t even take pictures of myself with my bump unless someone asked for one.
During Engie’s visit with Dr. Shafee at the Smile Care Dental Group's Clifton location, we were able to provide a thorough exam and cleaning.
“I got my smile back!” Engie had finished her appointment feeling relieved and happy to have discussed the many prenatal oral health tips and conditions that she should watch out for throughout the remainder of her pregnancy.
“After my visit, I started to really enjoy my pregnancy and even take some photos with my bump and my smile again.”
This whole experience got Dr. Shafee and Engie thinking. They decided to team up to make more expecting mothers aware of what to look out for and speak to your dentist about during pregnancy. Here is what Engie, Dr. Shafee and the Smile Care Dental Group team want you to know if you are expecting:
More cavities.
You can pass the bacteria that causes cavities to your baby during pregnancy and after birth. This can cause problems for your baby’s teeth later in life.
Gingivitis.
60 - 75 percent of pregnant women have gingivitis. Signs and symptoms include gums that are red, swollen, tender, bleeding or shiny. Loose teeth. High levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen can temporarily loosen the tissues and bones that keep your teeth in place.
Periodontal disease.
Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which causes serious infection in the gums and problems with the bones that support the teeth. Periodontitis can lead to bacteria in the bloodstream, which needs immediate attention.
Pregnancy tumors.
These tumors are not cancer. They’re lumps that form on the gums, usually between teeth. These tumors usually go away on their own after giving birth.
Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums during pregnancy can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Our experienced team of specialists are well equipped to provide you with the highest level of care to preserve and maintain your oral health. We utilize state-of-the-art technology to plan and perform your care with the utmost precision and offer a clear picture of all the options available to you and deliver the results you expect.
For more information on all of our dental services at Smile Care Dental Group in Clifton, NJ please call us today!