In a previous blog I emphasized how important oral health is to the health of your pregnancy and your baby. What can you do now, even before a good dental examination to maximize your oral health?
Gum Chewers and Mint Poppers
If you chew gum or use mints, be sure to buy ones with xylitol as the first ingredient, and preferably the only sweetener in the ingredients list. Xylitol is well documented as a cavity-preventing sweetener. Find xylitol (gum, mints, toothpaste, etc.) at your health food store, Internet, and checkout stand (spry, glee, ice cubes, frost, epic, & more).
Morning Sickness
Stomach acid can be very damaging to teeth. Neutralize the acid by rinsing with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water. DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER YOU HAVE VOMITED! You want to get the taste out of your mouth, true, but the acid softens the surface of the enamel. The brush can then brush that layer of enamel off the teeth! Instead, neutralize the acid with the baking soda rinse. Use another rinse, preferably with fluoride, to improve the taste in your mouth. After the acid is neutralized, calcium in the saliva will re-mineralize the surface enamel over several hours. Then you can brush again.
Later in the pregnancy a very full abdomen will often cause “burping up” of stomach fluids. The same recommendations apply for rinsing and not brushing.
Snacking
As your pregnancy progresses, you will find yourself snacking more often and eating smaller meals more often. This can pack lots of carbohydrate around your teeth and accelerate cavities. But remember a clean tooth will not decay. Make sure your toothbrushing and flossing efforts are effective. Effective cleaning of your teeth does not take much time (2 minutes), but it does require thoughtful attention. Properly cleaned teeth are safe for 24 hours. See our website and earlier blogs for help. Then be mindful that you are eating nutritious foods in those small meals and snacks.
Sweet & Acidic Beverages
Stay away from acidic beverages like fruit juice, soda, sports and energy drinks, and commercial sweet teas. They will do exactly what the stomach acid does. Excess consumption of acidic beverages has been associated with osteoporosis too. Your growing baby needs all the calcium you can provide her/him so good calcium metabolism is essential. Avoid those acidic beverages and make water your beverage of choice as much as you can.
Vitamins & Calcium
Vitamin D is critical to bone and tooth development. 50% of Americans are vitamin D deficient and should be taking vitamin D supplements or getting outside more. During pregnancy you have a baby with a large calcium and vitamin D demand so it is wise to be taking a vitamin D and calcium supplement. Ask your doctor.
Baby teeth are developing and calcifying during the last 3 months of your pregnancy so a healthy diet, healthy calcium metabolism and a healthy mom are important to good teeth for your baby.
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