It's common to hear older ladies say that their teeth got soft when they were pregnant. Their teeth really didn't get soft. What happens is that their gums become swollen and food gets stuck inside the gum pockets. This caused cavities and can result in tooth lost.

          Women are taken on an incredible hormonal roller coaster ride during pregnancy. This causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food. Small amounts of food that previously would not have irritated the gums will now create lots of problems.

          It is very important that pregnant women take excellent care of their teeth and gums. Flossing and brushing after eating assists with removal of food before it can break down and become irritating. Prenatal vitamins help the developing baby and can help strengthen the gums.

          We recommend that women who are pregnant have at least two dental cleanings during their pregnancy. However, regular dental work should be delayed until after the first trimester since the baby is forming during this period. Work can be done during the second trimester but it becomes difficult for most pregnant women to lay back for long periods of time during their third trimester.

          It is very common for pregnant women to present to our office with wisdom teeth emergencies. Wisdom teeth often have gums covering them and pregnancy can cause these gums to swell and hurt. This can cause difficult and restless sleep which probably does not help the developing baby. Because of the irritation these teeth are often removed even though the woman is pregnant. This is another reason to remove wisdom teeth early in life. If you are pregnant and need dental care, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.