When you find out that you, your partner or a family member is pregnant, it is a time of great joy and anticipation. With so many things to plan like baby showers, nursery decorations and gender reveal parties, as an expectant mother, it is easy to overlook some of the ways to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Many women often feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of medical appointments they need to attend and therefore overlook that much needed dental appointment.

At Amsel & Wilkins, our dentist in Banbury is experienced in looking after pregnant women throughout their pregnancy and can help identify and treat common dental issues that arise during those all important nine months and beyond.

But how can pregnancy impact on your oral health and why is it important to visit our dentist in Banbury? Read on to find out!

Gum disease

You are probably well aware of how your or your loved one’s hormones will impact the body throughout pregnancy.

However, it is common for these same hormones to cause the gums to become more sensitive to the already present bacteria in the mouth, making you more susceptible to gum inflammation and bleeding when brushing; this is known as gestational gingivitis.

Our dentist in Banbury can check for and treat gestational gingivitis, by removing any plaque forming on your teeth and by prescribing you a special mouthwash to use everyday.

Tooth decay

The last thing you need during your pregnancy is a toothache!

Throughout the course of pregnancy, many women experience morning sickness, odd food cravings and develop a sweet tooth; this all leads to acid build-up in your mouth. Women who also suffer from extreme fatigue during pregnancy are less likely to brush and floss, creating a perfect storm of bacteria in the mouth, which can cause dental decay.

Our dental team can help.

We can recommend to you the strongest toothpastes to alleviate plaque accumulation, can prescribe an acid neutralising mouthwash and provide you with a soft bristled toothbrush, so you don’t irritate your gum line when brushing.

Growths

Lasty, you or your partner may be one of the few women who develop growths in their mouths during pregnancy.

Don’t panic! This is quite normal and these growths are known as ‘pregnancy tumours’, although the name is hardly reassuring. These growths often occur during the second trimester of pregnancy and are usually caused by extra plaque building up on your teeth near the gum line. The growth may bleed, become crusty or even turn purple in colour, setting alarm bells ringing.

If you think you have a pregnancy tumour that is causing pain, or difficulty eating or speaking, then come to Amsel & Wilkins. We know that these benign growths will usually disappear after your baby is born, but if they are causing you difficulty in your day to day life, our team may choose to remove them. We will discuss with you how to prevent them from regrowing, and provide you with specialised mouthwashes and toothpastes.