TePe Tip: How to maintain a healthy smile during pregnancy and after baby is first born.
It is important to take care of yourself and your developing baby during your pregnancy. Many pregnant women have gingivitis, also called gum disease. Pregnant women with this condition are at risk of premature labor, pre-eclampsia and low-birth-weight babies. Like I said in my last blog post, if you are experiencing a bad gag reflex during your pregnancy the TePe universal care specialty toothbrush is a great option. The contra-angle of the toothbrush handle allows the toothbrush to stay away from the tongue when cleaning your lower molar teeth.
Here are some suggested tips to help maintain your oral health during pregnancy (AAP, 2019):
- Drink more water and less sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Choose healthy foods to satisfy pregnancy cravings.
- Brush twice a day for two minutes.
- Clean between your teeth daily.
- Make an appointment to get a dental check-up and go!
- Rinse mouth with a cup of water and 1 tsp baking soda after morning sickness.
After your baby is born, you will of course be exhausted. It is important to continue your own oral hygiene habits, and this will eventually become your child’s routine as well. They watch what you do! Below are some frequently asked questions mothers ask about their baby’s oral hygiene.
- Do I need to clean my baby’s gums before the teeth come in? Yes, this will help your child to start to develop oral hygiene routines and be more cooperative as their teeth start to erupt. Also, baby teeth come in at different times for different children, so developing oral hygiene routines early will ensure proper oral care. On average the first tooth erupts by 6 months old, and all 20 baby teeth by 2 ½ to 3 years old.
- How do I clean my baby’s gums or teeth? Use a soft wet washcloth or gauze to wipe the gums. It is best to do it around the same time each day, so your baby recognizes this activity as part of the daily routine. Once the first tooth has come in, start with a baby toothbrush. They will have a small toothbrush head and often grips that make it easy to hold. Brush twice a day.
- What do I do if my baby falls asleep with a bottle or while breastfeeding? If this happens, try to wipe their gums with a soft wet washcloth or gauze. This helps wipe away sugar and bacteria that together can cause cavities. Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle, or if this is soothing for your child make sure it is filled only with water.
Read More: www.aap.org
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