Pregnancy changes your body in many ways; it also takes a toll on your teeth. While your teeth probably won't fall out like many myths have speculated, there are a few things that will change about your dental health. Knowing the adverse side effects that pregnancy has on your teeth beforehand will help you to be better prepared when everything starts to change. Below is a list of common changes your teeth will go through while you are pregnant and how to properly fight against.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

While pregnant, your body has a rush of hormones which actually changes the way your body reacts to things. One of the ways your body changes is how it reacts to the build up of plaque and bacteria. Because of this pregnant women are more likely to get gingivitis which can turn into periodontal disease if not taken care of right away.

To prevent this from happening, you should be brushing your teeth more often than usual. Be sure to do your regular brushing and flossing in the morning. After each meal, just simply give your teeth a quick brush to remove any bacteria and extra food pieces that your meal left behind.

Enamel Damage

Morning sickness is having more of an effect on your body than you might think. All of that throwing up in the morning is actually causing the enamel on your teeth to deteriorate which will lead to tooth decay. The stomach acid that is being thrown up is coming into direct contact with your teeth every time you go to vomit.

You can't stop the urge to vomit, but you can protect your teeth during the process. Rub a mixture of baking soda and water on your teeth to shield them from the stomach acid. After every time you throw up, simply rinse your mouth out with a mild mouthwash.

Bleeding Gums

When you are pregnant, your body starts working in double time to supply enough blood for you and your growing baby. With the increase in your blood flow, you will notice that your gums are swollen and inflamed. In many cases, your teeth will even start to bleed. You will notice that your sensitive gums will also respond harsher to hot and cold foods.

Stay away from foods that your teeth are tender too in order to circumvent the pain of eating. You will also need to change the type of toothbrush you are using if you are using a hard bristled brush. Purchasing a toothbrush with soft-bristles will help your gums heal while reducing the bleeding and tenderness.

Pregnancy changes just about everything about your body and that includes your teeth. While there are some dental myths associated with pregnancy, there are some truths that every pregnant woman needs to be aware of. As long as you know what problems your teeth will face, you will be better prepared to protect them when you need to. Contact a business, such as Centre Family Dentistry, for more information.