Looking after your teeth during pregnancy

When you are pregnant, changes to your hormones can affect your teeth and gums.

During pregnancy it's common to have swollen and inflamed gums. This can cause your gums to bleed, and can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a condition where the structures around your teeth become damaged.

You can have a higher chance of getting tooth decay and tooth erosion (wearing away of the outside of your teeth) during pregnancy. This is because when you are pregnant you might:

• crave sweet food
• vomit from morning sickness
• have reflux

If you have severe gum disease during pregnancy, this can lead to pregnancy complications. You may be more likely to:

• have a premature baby (giving birth before 37 weeks)
• have a baby with lower birth weight
• develop pre-eclampsia (a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy)

Your dental professional can help you care for your teeth and gums when you are pregnant.

If you can, get a dental check-up before or soon after you become pregnant. Regular dental checks help to find any problems early. Many problems are best treated in the early stages.

Most dental treatments are safe to have when you are pregnant.

Generally, x-rays are not recommended during pregnancy, especially in your first trimester. However most dental x-rays are safe as they are very small radiation doses.

When making your appointment, tell the receptionist that you are pregnant. You should also tell your dentist you are pregnant so they can take any necessary safety measures.

Dental care is especially important during pregnancy. Here are some tips that might help:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. An electric toothbrush is a good option for a thorough clean.
• When brushing your teeth, try to angle the toothbrush at a 45° angle and use a circular motion. Talk to your dentist about how to best brush your teeth.
• If you find it hard to brush your back teeth because it makes you gag, try again at a different time of day.
• If you can't brush, rub on some toothpaste with your finger or try using a fluoride mouthwash. Check which mouthwash is safe for you to use.
• Brush your tongue as well. Brushing your tongue will help limit the bacteria in your mouth and keep your breath fresh.
• Floss between each tooth daily. There are lots of ways to floss, ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice on which product to use.
• Avoid or reduce smoking and vaping. Smoking and vaping can harm your teeth and gums, as well as harm your baby.

If you already have a good dental care routine, you should continue it when you're pregnant.

You should visit your dentist for a check-up at least once during your pregnancy, if possible in the early stages of your pregnancy. This is an important part of your pregnancy care.

You might find the best time to see a dentist is during the second trimester. This is because you:

• are less likely to have morning sickness than during the first trimester
• might find the dental chair more comfortable than during the third trimester

Morning sickness and vomiting may affect your teeth.

During pregnancy, a hormone called progesterone causes some of your muscles to relax. This happens to prepare your body for labour. Progesterone also relaxes your stomach and gut muscles, which slows down your digestive system.

Nausea, reflux and vomiting are common symptoms of a slow digestive system.

Nausea, reflux and vomiting can increase your chance of having tooth erosion, by wearing away the outer layer of your teeth.

How should I protect my teeth after vomiting?

Over time, vomiting can cause damage to your teeth. Here are some tips on how to protect your teeth after vomiting:

• Rinse your mouth with plain water straight away.
• Wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth straight away can damage your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Check with your pharmacist or dentist which ones are safe for you to use.
• Try to avoid food and drinks that are high in sugar.
• Drink milk or eat a piece of hard cheese. This can help to protect your teeth.
• If your gums are bleeding, it's important to continue gentle brushing.

During pregnancy it's common to develop cravings for food and drinks. This can increase your chance of having tooth decay.

To protect your teeth when you have pregnancy cravings, you should try to:

• limit sweet snacks to once a day
• avoid snacks that are high in sugar

Most dental care is safe to have while pregnant.

Some elective dental treatments such as tooth whitening and dental implants, may be put off until after your baby is born.

If you need more information, talk to your doctor or dentist.

Read more from the Australian Dental Association about how pregnancy can affect your dental health.

For help to stop smoking or vaping visit Quitline or call them on 137 848.