Trying To Conceive? Go see your dentist!
By Dr. Amanda Tavoularis (dentably.com)
When you’re trying to conceive or become pregnant your oral care might be one of the last things on your mind. This can be a detrimental attitude as oral issues can make it more difficult to conceive as well as cause more problems once you do become pregnant. I’ve been a dentist for over 20 years, and in that time I’ve always encouraged couples to visit their dentist while trying and continue care after conceiving. Take a look at these steps to take when visiting the dentist as an expecting couple.
Why Oral Health Is Important During This Time
It’s a common misconception that your oral health doesn’t have an impact on your pregnancy, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is that poor oral health can have serious implications for your pregnancy. For example, gum disease, a common oral issue, can actually lead to premature birth and make it harder to conceive. It’s also been shown that couples with gum disease, both male and female, take up to 2 months longer to conceive. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why it’s important to keep up with your dental habits.
Check Your Current Oral Care Routine
First, you want to make sure that you are keeping up at home with a proper oral care routine. If you’re lax in a certain area, your dentist can let you know and help take corrective measures. For example, if you’re not flossing correctly, your dentist can help you get back on track. This is important as many of us don’t even know that we’re not taking proper care of our teeth. Having a dentist evaluate your current oral health is important in knowing how to proceed.
Ask Your Dentist About Treatments
If you do get diagnosed with an oral issue, it’s important to set up treatments as soon as possible in order to avoid the situation worsening. In most cases, whether you’re trying to conceive or are already pregnant, most procedures are safe. This extends to anesthesia and medications as well. Many women falsely believe that dental procedures are unsafe, but it’s usually more detrimental to put it off as it gives the bacteria more time to grow. Talk to your dentist, but if they suggest getting work done, it’s likely more dangerous to wait.
Continue Your Dental Visits
Last, be sure to set up your next appointment and make sure to continue going. Despite some common myths, going to the dentist while conceiving or pregnant is perfectly safe. Keeping up with your visits is very important as it can help catch issues as they develop and before they become worse. Continue to go to your scheduled appointments and take the advice that your dentist gives you.
Your dental health plays a large role in your ability to conceive and your health while pregnant, so it’s important to keep up with it. Don’t skip this, and make sure to visit your dentist regularly. It will pay off with a healthy mouth, which pays off dividends both when trying to conceive and beyond.
About The Author
Dr. Amanda Tavoularis 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, including 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.