Why You Should See Your Dentist in Buford if You’re Pregnant

Our dentist in Buford knows how pregnancy changes your body and sometimes, your mouth. If pregnant, you will need routine dental care, just to make sure that everything is okay. At some point in your pregnancy, you might even need treatment for a dental problem. Many pregnant women wonder if it is safe to get dental care during pregnancy. The answer is yes. Sometimes, dental care is precisely what a woman needs to keep herself healthy.

A dentist in Buford explains pregnancy and dental health

Women experience hormonal changes while pregnant. These changes cause a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from morning sickness to cravings and even pregnancy gingivitis. Some of the symptoms of hormonal changes are pretty harmless. Others, like severe nausea and gum disease, can cause oral and systemic health problems. Hence as to why routine dental checkups are important for pregnant patients. They give the dentist the chance to catch problems before they grow into bigger ones. Apart from pregnancy-related dental issues, a woman should visit the dentist if they have a cavity, a broken tooth, or some other dental problem. Our dentist in Buford will make any needed adjustments to the treatment plan of a pregnant patient.

Services offered to pregnant patients

Each patient is different, meaning that a person may go nine months with perfect oral health. They may only need routine checkups for the duration of their pregnancy. Another patient may develop a pregnancy-related dental problem, or they may have an unrelated dental emergency. A dentist in Buford is able to provide treatment in any of these cases, as seen below.

Routine dental checkups

It is essential for a pregnant woman to confirm that her mouth is completely healthy. A regular checkup does this. The checkups become even more necessary if:

• Persistent nausea or morning sickness is occurring
• The person has cravings for sugary foods
• The gums are noticeably swollen or bloody

The dentist in Buford will make sure that the patient’s teeth are free of pregnancy-related gum disease. If the patient has terrible morning sickness, the dentist may clean their teeth or do a fluoride treatment to remineralize the eroded enamel. If the patient is found to have growths in their gums, the dentist will advise them on how to take care of their gums. Such growths are caused by pregnancy and are usually benign. 

Dental treatment

A cavity or an injured tooth can occur at any time. This does not mean that a woman should wait until they have their baby to see the dentist. In fact, an unhealthy mouth can negatively affect pregnancy and the baby. Many pregnant women have concerns about dental treatment because of:

1. X-rays

Digital X-rays are safe for pregnant women. Also, a pregnant patient will have an x-ray while wearing a garment that covers the pelvis and abdomen. That said, the dentist will only take an X-ray when it is absolutely necessary.

2. Medication

A patient may need a shot of a local anesthetic before a dental procedure, and painkillers after. They may also need antibiotics to treat an infection or to prevent one after a surgical procedure. A dentist in Buford will ask for a patient’s medical history before prescribing or administering any medication to ensure that both mother and baby remain safe during pregnancy. 

3. Elective procedures

If a dental procedure can wait, the dentist in Buford will ask their patient to hold off until after childbirth.

Good oral health is essential during pregnancy

Visit a dentist in Buford for checkups and any other issue you may have. If you notice a cavity or some other dental problem, come see us as soon as you can. Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office.

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