It is Never Too Late to Straighten Your Teeth

When you have decided that you'd like to become a mommy, you might already know that it's common practice to get a check-up from your doctor to make sure that you're healthy prior to conceiving. However, it's often surprising to discover that you should also schedule a visit with your dentist, especially if you have not always been consistent about doing so in recent years. Therefore, before you start trying to get pregnant, it's a good idea to be screened for the following issues at that exciting time:

Determining If You Need An In-depth Cleaning

Even though plaque buildup is never a good thing, it can be particularly problematic during pregnancy. For example,  even if your teeth seem clean and white, the plaque hiding in the crevices of your teeth can cause what is known as pregnancy tumors. Those painful growths show up between the teeth of pregnant women and are most common during the second trimester when you might otherwise be feeling quite well.  

Although they are very rarely dangerous, they are also not pleasant. Fortunately, an in-depth cleaning and total removal of the plaque you have before you conceive is likely to eliminate or dramatically reduce the possibility of that occurrence during pregnancy.   

Checking For Early Gum Disease

Although it might seem like the women around you who have been pregnant are often quite happy to talk about their morning sickness, labor, and rapid expansion into maternity clothes, the phenomenon of bleeding gums tends to be unheard of for many expectant mothers. Bleeding gums are often an early indicator of gum disease and if left untreated at any time, can profess to more serious dental issues. However, the hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy can permit that problem to manifest more quickly than it might otherwise and with more serious results.

In addition, those same hormonal fluctuations can allow gum disease to progress during pregnancy, which could you and your baby at higher risk. Pre-term labor, along with the risks and complications associated with it, as well as lower birth weights of full-term babies have been connected with untreated dental problems, including cavities. Research also has suggested a possible link between those lingering oral health challenges and the development of preeclampsia.

In conclusion, while the joys of pregnancy and adding a new person to your family can be immense, growing a human being can be very stressful on your physical and oral health. Therefore, it's best to be sure that your teeth and gums are healthy and unlikely to develop any unexpected problems by having a pre-pregnancy examination by your dentist.

Contact a dental office like Persona  Dental for more information and assistance.