Will Having a Baby Affect My Dental Health? | Snohomish Dentist

Having a baby is a magical time in a woman’s life. Not only will you bring another life into the world, but your body goes through a tremendous amount of changes while cooking that bun in your proverbial oven. But did you ever think it would affect your smile? Believe it or not, pregnancy does indeed affect your smile. We know that hormones play a major role in a pregnancy, but when it comes to your teeth, these hormones can intensify the way gum tissue reacts to plaque. Plaque build-up turns into gingivitis, and if not treated, can progress to periodontitis. If you find out you have developed gingivitis, don’t worry – “pregnancy gingivitis” is a common issue. Another dental complication pregnant women are at risk of developing is pregnancy tumors. Pregnancy tumors are inflammatory, non-cancerous growths that develop when swollen gums become irritated. It sounds scary, but these tumors usually shrink on their own after baby is born but may be removed if it affects your dental hygiene.

As with any other time in your life, your dental hygiene practices play a part in not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. When you are carrying a baby, it is necessary to be proactive with your health, both oral and overall. If oral health is neglected, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums and travel to the uterus developing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins which can induce premature labor. If you are expecting, take a trip to the dentist to make sure you are doing everything you can to stay healthy.

If you would like more information about dental health during pregnancy, call Dr. Haines in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visit www.tedhainesdds.com.

Dr. Haines proudly serves Snohomish, Monroe, Lake Stevens, Everett, Mill Creek, Woodinville, and surrounding areas.