Week 4 | starting out well
pregnancy woman and toothbrush icons
Starting out well
Looking after our teeth starts right at the beginning so this week we’re looking at how to care for your oral health during pregnancy.
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Free NHS dental care
icon of pregnant belly
Did you know that you’re eligible for free NHS dental check-ups and treatment during pregnancy and for up to 12 months after your due date?
To get free dental care you will need to apply for a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).
Ask your doctor, nurse or midwife for form FW8.
You complete parts 1 and 2 of the form and your doctor, midwife or nurse signs it to confirm that the information you've given is correct.
_Find an NHS dentist near you.
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Common mouth problems when pregnant
icon of open mouth with white teeth
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding.
This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.
Find out more about some of the common mouth related issues that you may experience while pregnant here. [
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Morning sickness
pregnant woman with morning sickness
If you have morning sickness (nausea and vomiting)then make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water after each time you are sick.
This will help prevent the acid in your vomit from damaging your teeth.
Do not brush your teeth straight away as they will be softened by the acid from your stomach. Wait about an hour before brushing.
A fluoride mouthwash may also be useful to help strengthen enamel.
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Six things you need to know
The Oral Health Foundation has compiled a handy list of six things that pregnant women need to know about looking after their teeth.
*1. Bleeding gums and gum disease.* Changing hormonal levels during pregnancy mean that your body will react differently to bacteria on your teeth (plaque). This can lead to swollen and bleeding gums
*2. Treating gum disease.* If you do have signs of gum disease, either periodontitis or gingivitis, you should know that it can be treated perfectly safely during pregnancy.
*3. Prevention.* Prevention is always much better than a cure when it comes to looking after your mouth, this is certainly the case when you are pregnant.
*4. Diet.* Cutting down on how often and how much sugar you consumer can dramatically reduce your risk of tooth decay and is also beneficial to many other areas of your health
*5. X-rays and anaesthesia.* Always tell your dentist if you are pregnant, especially if there is a chance that you will need an x-ray.
*6. Painkillers and antibiotics*. It is generally safe for you to use common painkillers such as paracetamol and antibiotics when you are pregnant but you should always speak to your doctor before taking any new medication while pregnant to make sure it is safe to use.
You can read more about the top six tips online here. [
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Next week. . .
Next week we’re looking at the first year of your baby’s life and how to get good oral health habits in place as soon as their first tooth arrives.
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*We hope you're finding these emails helpful.*
*Until next time.*
*Derbyshire County Council*
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