Why Should Pregnant Women See a Dentist in Cape May County?

As you know if you’ve ever spent much time looking at books written for pregnant women, there’s certainly no shortage of advice out there! It seems there’s an endless list of do’s and don’ts about everything from what to eat, how to exercise and what to wear, and of course, many mothers want to do everything right! But one worthwhile piece of advice you may not have heard is the importance of seeing a dentist in Cape May County. Pregnancy can affect every part of the body, including the mouth, and researchers have found that a mother’s oral health also affects her baby as well. In this blog, you’ll learn more about how routine dental care can benefit both you and your baby!

HOW ARE ORAL HEALTH AND PREGNANCY RELATED?

There have been many studies on how pregnancy is linked to oral health and, specifically, how your gum health can affect your unborn child. Here’s what researchers have found:

• Pregnancy can increase the amount of bacteria in your mouth, which is a risk factor for increased cavities and gum disease.
• Women who have healthy gums also have lower rates of pre-term birth and low birth-weight babies.
• The hormones associated with pregnancy can cause “pregnancy gingivitis,” which causes the gums to bleed easily and feel swollen or tender. For some women, their gums will bleed even if they’re doing great with brushing and flossing!

During pregnancy, be sure to keep an eye out for any bleeding and mention it during your checkup so a dentist can give you personalized tips on reducing it.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO GET DENTAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY?

Your checkups and cleanings are crucial at this time because they remove tartar and bacteria (the source of inflammation in the mouth) that can affect you and your baby’s health. You can’t remove these deposits at home, so it must be done professionally.

They’re also an opportunity for your dentist to catch any problems when they’re small and give you guidelines for your hygiene habits at home. Good brushing and flossing, even if you have bleeding, is one of the most important things you can do throughout your pregnancy!

Also, you might be interested to know that dental care is so important during pregnancy that some insurance companies cover three cleanings instead of two during this time, so it’s always worth it to check your benefits!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Scott Maslow has over three decades’ of experience as a dentist in Cape May County and was recently rated as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists. In addition to providing excellent dental care to his patients, he also helps them achieve great general health as well, particularly during special stages of their life like pregnancy. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or (609) 522-3145.