With so many little ones growing up in the Newport Community, we are quite familiar with the exciting sight of Moms-to-Be in our neighborhood.

Pregnancy affects nearly every aspect of a woman's life, including her oral health. You may think of your oral health as just one more thing to worry about, but taking care of your mouth and teeth is very important during pregnancy.

Many women notice changes in their gums during pregnancy including redness and bleeding as they brush their teeth. This is referred to as pregnancy gingivitis, which can begin as early as the second month and taper off around the eighth month. Increased hormones may be to blame for this occurrence, as progesterone is 10 times higher than normal, during this stage, causing major changes within your immune system. Pregnancy gingivitis typically resolves itself once the baby has arrived.

To minimize the effects and the likelihood of pregnancy gingivitis, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene during this special time. Brush twice daily for at least two minutes each time, and make sure you do not to forget to floss. Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse may also help you control gum inflammation. Regular dental checkups are key as your body is going through many changes and gingivitis can be greatly helped by a thorough professional cleaning.

Many women who are expecting sometimes suffer from morning sickness. Teeth can be severely affected from vomiting and excessive morning sickness.

It is important not to brush right away after vomiting, since the acid in your mouth will only help erode the teeth as you brush.

Another complaint of many of my pregnant patients is dry mouth, which can be combatted by drinking plenty of water and using sugarless hard candies or mints to stimulate saliva secretion and keep your mouth moist.

Often I am asked about x-rays during pregnancy. New advances in technology have made dental X-rays much safer and digital X-rays use much less radiation than older systems that use dental film. Studies have shown that using a double lead apron will protect you and your fetus from harmful radiation. X-rays usually are taken in the second trimester only if they are needed for diagnosis or treatment that cannot wait until after the baby is born.

Newport Dental Arts enjoys caring for all our patients, including those with babies on board. Feel free to be in touch if you have any additional questions or wish to make an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

Stay healthy! Dr. Louis Zazzaro

Newport Dental Arts

100 Town Square Place, Jersey City, NJ 07310

(201) 626-6210

www.newportdentalarts.com