Being pregnant can be an extremely exciting yet stressful time for many women and their partners.
And concerning all the appointments coming up with the midwife, nurses and doctors, you probably think that you won't need to worry about booking a dental appointment due to pregnancy. But because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, it is best to book an appointment with your dentist in Subiaco as soon as you discover you are expecting.
At Kings Dental Subiaco, our team has helped many women who are pregnant, nursing or have a young infant manage the common dental issues that pregnancy and hormones can create. So if you are looking for a prenatal or postnatal dentist in Subiaco who is sensitive and caring, come to us!
But what are some of the issues that being pregnant can cause with your dental health? Our team at Kings Dental Subiaco provides information on the following problems to look out for.
Gum disease
Gum disease is not exclusive to pregnancy, but when it occurs due to pregnancy it is called pregnancy gingivitis.
In short, it is due to the body's immune system overreacting to a lower level of plaque in the mouth than would be common with regular gingivitis. Our team at Kings Dental Subiaco can help to alleviate gingivitis caused by pregnancy with a scale and polish, fluoride toothpaste, advice on flossing and antibacterial mouthwash.
Tooth decay
It is no secret that pregnant women often have unusual cravings!
And if you or your partner are craving ice cream, cakes or other sweet treats then this, combined with issues surrounding calcium (also common in pregnancy) can lead to a higher chance of tooth decay in the mouth.
Once again, our team can provide a high fluoride toothpaste to combat decay and we'll aim to see you as often as possible if we feel you are at risk of this issue. If your tooth decay develops to the point of needing a root canal or filling, don't worry! These are perfectly fine to have when you are pregnant and will not cause problems for your baby.
Enamel erosion
If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy (or in some cases any trimester!), you will probably be suffering from nausea and vomiting.
This will introduce excess amounts of acid to your teeth, which will likely lead to enamel erosion. Heartburn or gastrointestinal reflux disease (or GERD) are also common during pregnancy and can also create problems with enamel. For this, we recommend visiting your doctor to discuss medications to reduce acid production, but our team can also protect your teeth with fluoride toothpaste or fluoride sealants.
Pregnancy granulomas
Pregnancy granulomas are lumps that form on the roof of the mouth or the gums, which are caused by excessive levels of oestrogen and progesterone. While this can be worrying, in our experience, they are usually benign and will resolve once you have given birth to your baby.
But if they are causing issues with eating or breathing due to their size or position, our team can remove them using a local anaesthetic and a simple surgery.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.