Pregnancy
& Oral Health
Pregnancy
is a special time to take extra care of your oral health.
During pregnancy, a woman should be especially mindful of
her oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and professional
dental care needs.
Oral
Hygiene
During
pregnancy, there is a special need for good oral hygiene
because pregnancy may exaggerate some dental disorders.
To
avoid the unnecessary loss of teeth, brush thoroughly
with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice daily.
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental
cleaners. Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you
how to brush and floss correctly.
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Professional
Dental Care
As
part of your regular medical history, inform your dentist
that you are pregnant, suspect that you are pregnant,
or are planning to become pregnant soon. Also, be sure
to tell your dentist if there is any change in your
health, any change in the medications you are taking,
or any particular advice your physician has given you.
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Nutrition
What
you eat during the nine months of pregnancy affects
the development of your unborn child's teeth. Your baby's
teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months
of pregnancy, so it is important that you receive sufficient
amounts of nutrients - especially vitamins A, C, and
D, protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
A
recommended daily diet for a pregnant woman usually includes
the following foods:
- 3
servings of dairy such as milk, cheese, or yogurt
- 2
to 3 servings of meat, poultry, or fish
- 6
or more servings of breads, cereals, and other grain
products
- 3
or more servings of vegetables
- 2
or more servings of fruits
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