Oral Health

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Oral health means taking care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing regularly. It's especially important to take care of your teeth and gums in pregnancy because, due to normal changes of your body, like gums swelling from making more blood for a healthy pregnancy or having more acid in your mouth from vomiting, you can be at higher risk of tooth, gum or bone disease. These diseases have been shown to cause preterm labour and low birth weight infants.

Try to schedule a checkup prior to becoming pregnant or in your first trimester to have your teeth cleaned and oral health checked. If you do need dental work (for example, cavity fillings), it is a good idea to have it done prior to pregnancy or between the fourth and sixth month of your pregnancy (the second trimester). You should avoid x-rays of your mouth during pregnancy, if you do need an x-ray; make sure you are covered with a lead apron to protect your baby from radiation.

For more information on oral health during pregnancy, diet choices to keep your teeth strong, health risks of poor oral health, the safety of x-rays, and local painkillers and medications, please visit the links below.