Pregnancy and Your Dental Health

Good oral health is for everyone! Lesson #1: Take the time to care for your teeth while you are pregnant. Key facts: 1. Pregnant mothers become busier and may run out of time to take care of their teeth. 2. Even though you are busy, this is a very important time to care for your teeth. Good oral health is for everyone!

Feeling good means looking good! Lesson #2: Taking care of your teeth gives you a healthy beautiful smile! Key Facts: 1. The healthier your teeth are, the better you feel and look.

Have your teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist! Make regular dental appointments for you and your child Lesson #3: A visit to the dentist early in your pregnancy helps you and your unborn baby stay healthy. Key Fact: 1. Visit a dentist in your second trimester of pregnancy. Things to talk about: 1. When you call to make your appointment tell them you are pregnant and how far along you. 2. When you call to make your appointment tell them you would like to have your teeth professionally cleaned. 3. Dentists recommend that elective dental treatments (that are not urgent) wait until after your baby is born. 4. Dentists use x-rays carefully, only when necessary, so the baby is not harmed. X-rays are safe during pregnancy with the proper precautions. Before an x-ray is taken, the dentist places a lead apron with a collar over you.

Inflamed, red, tender gums Left untreated may result in gum disease Signs: Inflamed, red, tender gums Cause: Plaque Consequences: Left untreated may result in gum disease GINGIVITIS You have GINGIVITIS! Miss one turn DENTIST PERIODONTITIS Lesson #4: An early visit to the dentist to have your teeth professionally cleaned helps control pregnancy gingivitis. Key Facts: 1. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums swell, feel tender and easily bleed. 2. This condition is called “pregnancy gingivitis.” 3. Pregnancy gingivitis is common during pregnancy. 4. Brushing and flossing every day and professional cleanings are very important during pregnancy when you have pregnancy gingivitis. Things to talk about: 1. Left untreated, gingivitis can turn into a serious gum infection called periodontitis. Oral Health! BEAUTIFUL SMILE NOT YOUR ORDINARY GAME OF CHANCE GINGIVITIS

Pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. Lesson #5: An early visit to the dentist helps your unborn baby stay healthy. Key Facts: 1. Studies show pregnant women with a serious gum infection called periodontitis are more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. 2. A dental appointment early in your pregnancy gives the dentist time to check for signs of periodontitis and to treat it if necessary. Things to talk about: 1. A serious gum infection is called periodontitis. It is when the bones and gums in your mouth become infected with too much bacteria. 2. These bacteria can infect the whole body and make a pregnant woman start labor early, causing her to have a baby too early and too small. 3. You can avoid gum disease by regularly visiting a dentist and taking good care of your gums and teeth every day at home.

Healthy Kids Santa Cruz County (831) 763-8568 (831) 454-2515 Lesson #6: Find an affordable dentist in your area. Key Fact: 1. Review with client the dental list of no cost dental providers in Santa Cruz County. 2. Remember when you call to make your appointment to tell them you are pregnant and you want an appointment to have your teeth professionally cleaned.

Brushing, flossing and proper snacking are the keys to your oral health!!! Lesson #7: Brushing and flossing your teeth as well as eating healthy foods help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Key Facts: 1. It is not true that you lose a tooth for every pregnancy. 2. If you lose teeth or have more cavities while you are pregnant, you may not be flossing and brushing your teeth enough or you may be eating sweets more often. 3. If you experience any of these problems it is important to visit a dentist.

A Beautiful Smile and Terrific Overall Health: Priceless Flossing: One time a day Brushing: Two times a day, 3 minutes Visit to the Dentist: two times a year Bank of Good Health Lesson #8: Review: Flossing: Once a day Brushing: 2 times a day, 3 minutes Visit to the dentist: 2 times a year Key Facts: 1. Basic Toothbrush Tips: Never share toothbrushes - it spreads the bacteria. Always buy soft toothbrushes. Replace your toothbrush when the bristles are no longer straight. Most brands of toothpaste are equal, but it needs to have fluoride. 2. If you have morning sickness and vomit, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride mouth rinse. Brushing your teeth right after you vomit can cause your teeth to wear away. 3. Mouth rinses with alcohol can cause a dry mouth. You need saliva to stop cavities. Some have 22% alcohol. A Beautiful Smile and Terrific Overall Health: Priceless

A Cavity: Chemistry and Frequency Bacteria Sugar Lesson #9: The bacteria in your mouth can cause cavities. Key Facts: 1. Here is the way it works: Bacteria live in your mouth. Bacteria feed on the same sugary foods you eat and then the bacteria make an acid. Bacteria make a lot of acid from sugar. The acid eats away the teeth. When sugar is eaten often, acid is made over and over again, making a cavity on your tooth. Things to talk about: 1. Sweets and snacks can cause a 20 minute acid attack on your teeth each time you eat them. 2. For example, if you suck on candies, lollipops, or throat lozenges for long periods of time, your risk of a cavity increases. When the sugar stays in your mouth longer, it gives the bacteria a longer time to make acid attacks. Time

Brushing and Flossing Lesson #10: Remove bacteria from your teeth and gums every day. Key fact: Demonstrate the proper toothbrush and floss techniques using models. Things to talk about: 1. When brushing, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line. Use a gentle circular motion brushing the outside of each tooth. Repeat for the inside of each tooth. 2. Brush chewing surfaces of each tooth. 3. Use tip of brush to brush behind each front tooth, both top and bottom. 4. When flossing, gently bring the floss through the tight spaces between the teeth. 5. Curve the floss around each tooth and gently scrape from below the gum to the top of the tooth several times.

Healthy Teeth: It’s what you eat and when you eat it! Lesson #11: Eat healthy foods during your pregnancy to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Key Facts: 1. What you eat is important. Pregnant women may have cravings for "junk foods" that expose their teeth and gums to acids more often. Make between-meal snacks crunchy vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoid sugary drinks (sodas) and eat fewer sweets. 2. When you eat is also important. Do not eat sweets or "junk foods" between meals. Save sweets or "junk food" for after meals. This limits the mealtime to one acid attack. Things to talk about: 1. Demonstrate how much sugar is in a 20 oz. plastic soda bottle.

Eating enough calcium while you are pregnant helps your baby form strong teeth. Lesson #12: Eat foods high in calcium everyday to help your baby develop strong teeth. Key Fact: 1. Your baby's teeth begin to form before birth. 2. Your baby needs calcium to develop strong teeth and bones before it is born. 3. Your baby does NOT absorb calcium from your teeth. Your baby gets calcium from the foods you eat.

Eat a lot of calcium so your baby will have strong teeth and bones! Sources of Calcium Eat a lot of calcium so your baby will have strong teeth and bones! Green Leafy Vegetables: Broccoli and spinach Fluids: Drink water or milk. Not soda! Dairy Products: Cheese, yogurt and milk Lesson #13 Sources of calcium for you to eat. Key Fact: 1. Excellent sources of calcium for you to eat: cheese, yogurt, milk, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, sardines with bones, and almonds. Almonds Sardines with bones

Positive Outcomes Lesson #14: The healthier your mouth is, the healthier and happier your pregnancy and baby will be.

You now have the necessary tools for wonderful dental health! CONGRATULATIONS! You now have the necessary tools for wonderful dental health! Lesson #15: Congratulations! You are now equipped with the necessary tools for wonderful dental health! Key Fact: 1. Your Child Will Learn From You… Set A Good Example!