
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life — but it can also generate a lot of questions about both the mother’s and the baby’s health. The realm of dental care is no exception.
Here are a few of the questions we frequently hear from expectant mothers, along with our answers.
Does the baby’s tooth calcium come from my teeth?
This question is frequently asked by mothers who may have had dental issues and are worried they’ll pass on these problems to their baby. Simply put, no — a baby developing in the womb derives minerals like calcium for their teeth and bones from the mother’s diet, not her teeth. What an expectant mother can do is be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrients and minerals like calcium.
Am I at heightened risk for dental disease during pregnancy?
Pregnancy does cause significant increases in your body’s hormones, particularly estrogen. This can cause changes in the gum tissue’s blood vessels that may make you more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease (commonly called “pregnancy gingivitis”). It’s also possible later in pregnancy to develop non-cancerous overgrowths of gum tissues called “pregnancy tumors.” The heightened risk for gum disease during pregnancy calls for increased vigilance in monitoring gum health.
What should I do to take care of my teeth?
It’s important to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste to remove plaque, a thin layer of bacteria and food remnants that adhere to teeth. You should also floss daily and consider using an anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis mouthrinse. And, of course, you should see us for regular office cleanings and checkups, or if you notice swollen, tender or bleeding gums, or other abnormalities.
Should I take prenatal fluoride supplements?
This sounds appealing as a way to give your baby a head start on strong tooth development. Studies on its effectiveness, however, remain slim and somewhat inconclusive — we simply don’t have enough data to make a recommendation. What does have a solid research record is the application of fluoride to teeth in young children just after they appear in the mouth — studies involving over a thousand teeth have shown 99% cavity-free results using topical fluoride applications with sealants.
If you would like more information on dental care during pregnancy, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Expectant Mothers.”
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Dentist - Fort Worth
2551 River Park Plaza
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-732-4419
Patient Education
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- 2019
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- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- 2018
- December (6)
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
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- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
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- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
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- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
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- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
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- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
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- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
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- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
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- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
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- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
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- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
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- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
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- May (6)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- April (5)
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- OTC Pain Relievers Usually Enough to Relieve Post-Procedure Mouth Discomfort
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- 2017
- November (5)
- Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- Sometimes It's Good to Be a Quitter: Smoking and Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- July (5)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Your Dentist may have the Solution for Your Sleep Apnea
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
- March (5)
- Factors Besides Oral Hygiene that Influence Your Risk for Tooth Decay
- That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
- 2016
- October (5)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- March (5)
- Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- 2015
- November (5)
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
- 2014
- August (5)
- Occasional Tongue Redness may be Irritating but not a Serious Health Issue
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gummy Smiles
- 2013
- 2012
- August (8)
- Bleeding Gums Mean Something is Wrong
- Treating Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How to Get What You Want in Your Smile Makeover
- Countdown To A Perfect Wedding Day Smile
- Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are You at High Risk for Tooth Decay?
- 2011
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