Today I bring you a special post written by my colleague, Dr. Amanda Tavoularis. Dr. Amanda has been committed to excellent dentistry for over 20 years. She studied at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and has gone on to complete over 200 hours of study at the prestigious Kois Center located in Seattle. She belongs to numerous dentistry networks include the American Dental Association and the Wellness Dentistry Network. With being a female dentist on the Dentably team, Dr. Amanda can provide her expertise for dental care for women as well as expecting mothers. She has a son of her own and is committed to providing the most accurate information possible for patients.
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When you and your partner choose to start growing your family, it’s one of the most exciting times in your life filled with joy and happiness. Having a baby is such a beautiful thing, and while you and your partner have taken the necessary steps to prepare, dental care is one thing that’s often overlooked when couples are trying to conceive.
You and your partner’s dental health can play a big role in fertility, especially if you are suffering from gum disease. That’s why it’s so important to visit your dentist for a checkup before you start trying to conceive. I have been practicing dentistry for more than 20 years and have helped many couples with their dental health so that they can be as healthy as possible for conceiving a child.
- Dental Issues Cause Fertility Issues
One of the main reasons you should visit your dentist before trying to conceive is so they can uncover any dental issues you may have, such as cavities or gum disease. Crowns, fillings, and most dental work are safe and can be completed during your pregnancy, but it’s best if you can get them done before conception.
Also, if you or your partner suffers from gum disease it can affect your chances of becoming pregnant. It can take women seven months or longer to conceive if they have gum disease compared to five months for women who do not. Similarly, men with poor oral health are more likely to face male factor infertility due to the elevated levels of bacteria in their mouth. If you can have a deep cleaning and treatment completed before trying to become pregnant you can raise your chances of conceiving and be healthier for your pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Hormones Affect Your Oral Health
Pregnancy causes a lot of changes to your hormones, and this affects your mouth greatly. Going back to gum disease, your pregnancy hormones make you more vulnerable to mouth bacteria and decay and raise your chances of developing pregnancy tumors and pregnancy gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can cause preterm birth and low birth weight which is why it’s better to deal with these issues ahead of time.
Continuing a daily oral care routine is the best way to prevent gingivitis before, during, and after pregnancy. Your routine should consist of brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Also, your diet will be helpful in maintaining a healthy mouth. Stay away from sugary drinks and snacks and focus on incorporating vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and dairy into your diet to help protect your teeth.
- Get X-Rays Done Before Trying to Conceive
Another reason it’s essential to visit your dentist before trying to become pregnant are dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are necessary to make sure that the structure of your mouth is good and that you don’t have any serious dental issues. They are a part of yearly dental checkups and your dentist can provide you with the necessary dental x-rays before you’re pregnant instead of having to postpone them until after your baby is born. While the radiation exposure at the dental office is extremely low, it’s best to avoid exposing them to your baby at all costs. This is both for you and your baby’s safety.
When you finally decide that it’s time to start your family, it’s a special time. As you begin preparing to have a new baby around the house and trying to conceive, you want to be as healthy as possible. However, sometimes dental care is forgotten in you and your partner’s overall health, but it’s important when it comes to conceiving a child. Be sure both of you receive a dental checkup before you conceive to uncover any issues and resolve them so you can have the healthiest mouth before your baby comes along and help yourself prepare for parenthood.
