Many people are aware of the importance of maintaining good oral health, but it's even more important for women who are pregnant. You may have heard that being pregnant can cause women to have more dental problems, which is a problem that needs to be addressed. Here is what you should know about the importance of dental health during a pregnancy.

Dental Health Can Impact The Health Of The Child

Many people make the wrong assumption that the concern is how having a baby can cause poor oral health for the woman. However, the opposite is actually what you really need to worry about, because poor oral health can have an impact on the baby's development. That's why you need to do a good job at taking care of your teeth before you even become pregnant. This includes daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular six-month checkups. This will keep the bacteria out of your mouth and away from the baby.

Pregnancy Can Cause Issues With Nausea That Affect Your Teeth

One reason why pregnant mothers have issues with their oral health is because of nausea. While it's not a fun topic to talk about, the truth is that morning sickness can lead to vomiting, which can have an impact on the health of your teeth. If you are regularly experiencing nausea and vomiting, and you're not taking care of your teeth afterward, then it can make a lasting effect after the baby is born from your teeth coming in contact with stomach acids.

The key to keeping your teeth clean during these times is knowing how to properly care for them. You do not want to immediately brush your teeth after vomiting, because it can be brushing those stomach acids into your teeth. The trick is to rinse out your mouth with water and baking soda to dilute the stomach acids, which then make it safe to brush without causing damage to your enamel.

Pregnancy Can Cause More Food Cravings

It's very common for women to have cravings during their pregnancy, which leads to eating more foods that may be sweet and sugary. This means that you need to pay more attention to brushing and flossing regularly, especially at the end of the day. If you do not normally eat those types of foods, you may have been getting away with oral care habits that were getting the job done, but those habits will not combat the additional sugary foods consumed. 

To learn more about oral care during pregnancy, talk to a dental service in your area, such as Apollo Dental Center.