It’s children’s dental health month and before the month is out I wanted to add to the conversation.
Have you or anyone you know ever experienced tooth decay or gum disease despite years of brushing twice a day and eating the right things? Have you ever heard bad teeth being blamed on genetics?
While there's way more to good oral health than brushing twice a day and avoiding sweets; there is a dental link between parent and child because good oral health actually begins in utero.
Did You Know...
Did you know that if a pregnant woman does not get enough calcium from her diet or from supplements that it will be drawn from her bones and teeth for the baby and if it's still not enough, the baby may not develop strong healthy teeth and bones.
Did you know that smoking and second hand smoking (being around smokers) while pregnant can damage a growing infant's primary teeth? Yes. Those same teeth hidden underneath a baby's adorable gummy smile can be affected by smoking cigarettes or cannabis or by mom being exposed.
Even more concerning for pregnant women is that poor dental health plus hormonal changes can result in pregnancy gingivitis which can result in periodontal disease (gum and bone loss) which can lead to a pre term or low birth weight baby.
Finally, for moms of babies and littles, did you know that cavities or the caries bacteria that causes cavities is contagious? We now know there is truth to the saying that bad teeth run in the family.
Did you know that young children with a parent that has cavities or missing teeth are more likely to develop cavities in childhood?
Even if a mom or caregiver has filled in the cavities, the bacteria that causes cavities is still contagious. So for example, if you have cavities and test taste your baby's food then feed them with said spoon you are passing on the bacteria. Basically any exchange of saliva is passing it on. So it's important for mom/caregiver and baby to practice good oral health.
Protecting your teeth and your baby's teeth for starters includes:
✳ Brushing teeth properly from the gumline up, at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste.
✳ Flossing daily
✳ Drinking water that contains fluoride (tap water for example)
✳ Taking extra care to properly rinse mouth with mouth wash or warm water after vomiting during morning sickness. You should wait 30 minutes or so to allow stomach acid to settle before brushing teeth to avoid further stomach upset.
✳ Eating a healthy diet rich in various nutrients including lots of calcium
✳ Avoiding sweet, stick and tacky foods
✳ Eliminating smoking, second hand smoking, recreational drug use and alcohol drinks
✳ Scheduling a visit to see your dentist for a check up in your first trimester. Major dental work like fillings etc. could also be safely performed in the second trimester.
For more information on dental health in pregnancy visit:
Canadians: Oral Health and Pregnancy
Americans: Pregnancy and Oral Health
Thanks for reading. Wishing you and your baby a mouth full of healthy teeth! 💜
