Why the dentist is essential for pregnant women

Whilst the dentist may not be the first person you’d think of visiting during pregnancy, in fact thanks to hormonal changes in the body regular dental visits are more important than ever. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we welcome pregnant patients for help with pregnancy-specific oral health issues, and also recommend that when baby arrives, you bring them in for check-ups from an early age.

pregnant-womenPregnancy is an exciting time but, particularly if you are pregnant with your first child, you may notice some unusual changes to your body that, whilst being completely natural and nothing to worry about, should be checked out for reassurance and management where appropriate. Even if you’ve had children before, you may notice different changes with different pregnancies.

Dentally speaking, hormone changes can cause a range of oral health concerns. At Harley Street Dental Clinic an experienced and friendly dentist will be able to reassure you and provide treatment when necessary.

Pregnancy-related dental issues

Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause your gums to become red, inflamed, and sometimes to bleed when you brush your teeth. If you think this sounds like the symptoms of gum disease, you’re right. Pregnancy gingivitis can start as soon as the second month of pregnancy because of raised levels of progesterone. This affects how your body reacts to toxins, including plaque. Your dentist can help you to treat and manage this condition.

Bad morning sickness can also damage your tooth enamel, causing sensitive teeth. Some women also experience pregnancy granuloma, in which red nodules grow on your gums. Our Harley Street team can help with all of these conditions.

Once baby arrives, we recommend bringing them to the clinic from 12 months of age. This gets them used to visiting the dentist, and helps spot problems early.