Oral health: How should pregnant women take care of it?

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Pregnancy symptoms such as vomiting, acid reflux, and hormonal changes during pregnancy can weaken the gums and teeth, or oral health of pregnant mothers. During this time, mothers must take special care of their oral health by avoiding foods with sugar, brushing their teeth after vomiting, etc., to keep their mouths strong and reduce the risk of oral health problems such as tooth decay and gingivitis, เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย which if left untreated can lead to more serious health problems such as bloodstream infections.

How to take care of oral health during pregnancy

Taking care of your oral health during pregnancy in the following ways may help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of health problems.

Avoid foods with sugar.

Hormonal changes, stress, and anxiety can make pregnant women crave sweets more. However, it is best for pregnant women to avoid or reduce their consumption of sugary foods and beverages because they can result in high blood sugar levels, which puts them at risk of gestational diabetes. In addition, sugar from foods and beverages can also affect the oral health of pregnant women, causing tooth decay.

When pregnant mothers eat carbohydrate foods such as sugar, bread, cake, candy, high-sugar fruits and do not clean their mouths well, bacteria in the mouth will digest the food and sugar, creating acid. When acid, bacteria, food particles and saliva combine, they form a plaque that sticks to the teeth. The acid in the plaque destroys the tooth surface, causing holes, which leads to tooth decay.

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If a pregnant mother has tooth decay, she should seek immediate treatment because if left untreated, it can lead to gum inflammation or infection, such as a bloodstream infection. In addition, germs from tooth decay can be transmitted to the fetus.

Eat foods that help strengthen your gums and teeth.

Eating high-fiber vegetables and fruits will help clean your gums and teeth, stimulate the production of saliva that helps keep your mouth moist, aid in digestion, prevent tooth decay, and may also help kill germs. In addition, pregnant women should consume cow’s milk and dairy products such as cheese and plain yogurt, which are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which help restore tooth enamel and make your teeth stronger. However, you should ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice on foods that nourish your gums and teeth, as well as the amount you should consume per day, to prevent health problems if you eat incorrectly or eat too much.

After vomiting, the mouth should be cleaned thoroughly.

Vomiting is a common symptom of pregnancy or morning sickness . Every time you vomit, stomach acid flows back up into your mouth, eroding your gums and damaging your tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth sensitivity or tooth decay.

How to Clean Your Teeth After Vomiting

  • Wait about 1 hour before brushing your teeth, as brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting will cause stomach acid to spread throughout your mouth, causing more damage to your gums and teeth.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that does not hurt your gums and maintain oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly and flossing after brushing.
  • Avoid eating foods or drinks that are highly acidic, such as soft drinks and foods that use sugar substitutes.

Take better care of your gums

Female hormones can cause women to have gum and tooth problems. For example, when women start puberty, female hormones cause more blood to flow in the gums, causing the gums to swell, become red, and sensitive. During pregnancy, the body secretes more female hormones, which can make it easier for gums and teeth to have problems. Pregnant women often develop gingivitis when they are 2-3 months pregnant. This disease can cause sore gums, swollen gums, and bleeding gums, which can make it difficult to eat and risk malnutrition .

Pregnant mothers should therefore take good care of their gums using the following methods:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Clean the gums and teeth with dental floss.
  • If you find that your gums are abnormal, such as pus, swelling, redness, or bleeding gums, you should see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Get regular oral health checkups.

Pregnant women should have regular oral health check-ups, at least every 6 months or as scheduled by the dentist. The appointment should not be postponed unless absolutely necessary, and the dentist should be informed that you are pregnant, as the dentist may need to be more careful in certain examinations and treatments, such as X-rays and prescribing antibiotics.