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Good dental hygiene in pregnancy is essential if you want to avoid toothache, tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease and a generally negative effect on your wellbeing. Some studies even link poor dental health in pregnancy to premature or low birth weight babies.

It is essential to have a dental checkup during your pregnancy, but make sure to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant so they use only safe anaesthetics and medications.

In addition, many women seem to have worse teeth after pregnancy. This is not because your baby has “sucked” the calcium from your teeth, as many believe, but could be for these reasons:

•You’re often far more tired during pregnancy, so oral hygiene standards tend to drop.

•The hormonal changes of pregnancy lead to puffy gums and periodontitis. Without careful dental care, this makes decay more likely.

•All those sugary treats you’re craving will cause decay.

•When you sleep on your side, saliva will pool in the side of your mouth you favour, and because saliva neutralises acid, that side of your mouth will usually have less decay than the other side.

Tips for a healthy dental routine:

✓Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as medium and hard bristles can damage your tooth enamel. Also remember to floss regularly.

✓Brush your teeth once in the morning after breakfast and once at night before going to bed.

✓Drink a glass of water after eating to remove any food still in your mouth.

Bleeding gums

If you have a healthy diet this is usually not serious but must not be left untreated or your gums might loosen around your teeth, making dental decay, bad breath and gum disease more likely.

Self-help tips:

✓Brush your teeth three times a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and floss between your teeth every day.

✓Take the tissue salt Ferrum phos to help prevent and treat inflammation, and Nat mur to help for puffiness of the gums.

✓If your gums are infected or ulcers develop, take a homeopathic remedy for infection or for immunity strengthening.

See your midwife or dentist:

If these self-help tips do not help you.