Dental Care and Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Dental Care & Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Tips & tricks to help improve your pregnancy experience 

During this time of year, many people take time to self-reflect and make new year’s resolutions. For some this may include healthy living. 

How many of you were told you could floss better at your last dental hygiene visit? I’m sure that even the dentists reading this article feel they could floss more. I only know because I am married to one. Lol. 

DENTAL CARE & PREGNANCY

It is important to attend your regular dental cleaning, especially while pregnant. Periodontal (gum) disease may have an association with poor pregnancy outcomes. If there are any questions from your dentist regarding required dental care, please feel free to reach out and your provider at Premier OBGYN would be happy to provide you with a note for clearance regarding simple dental procedures and routine care. Local anesthetics and antibiotics such as amoxicillin may be used during pregnancy. X-rays should be delayed until after delivery if possible, but must and should be performed in many circumstances. If this applies to you, then just be sure your abdomen is covered with a lead apron. The ideal time in pregnancy to have surgery is the 2nd trimester, but dental surgery can be performed at anytime throughout pregnancy as needed. Oral health is an important part of prenatal care. Regularly brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing and/or water picks are encouraged.    

Believe it or not, part of dental hygiene in pregnancy involves controlling nausea and vomiting because the acidy from the reflux or vomit can cause damage to your teeth. One of the best things you can do after each reflux or vomit episode is swish and spit with water to neutralize the acid exposure to your teeth. 

Nausea and vomiting is common in early pregnancy and can be the most miserable part of pregnancy for many. Hang in there…you can do it mommy! I promise this sweet little baby will be worth it and just know there is light at the end of this tunnel. I remember feeling desperate in early pregnancy and willing to try anything to find even a second of relief.

NAUSEA AT-HOME REMEDIES/TIPS & TRICKS

- Eat small frequent meals spread out throughout the day. You may find that you have to graze every 30-60 min. during your peak nausea week (usually between 8-10 wks pregnant for most). It can be chore that is very worth it. 

- If hot foods don’t work, try cold foods…if cold foods don’t work, try hot foods

- bland carb-rich foods sit well with most (i.e. mashed potatoes, mac n’ cheese, or rice). Stay away from those crazy spicy and acidic foods. Be nice to your stomach!

- Separating solid and liquids (at least 30 min.) can help some

- Taking a prenatal vitamin with less or no iron in early trimester may help (natural side effect of iron can be constipation or nausea). You can also replace your prenatal vitamin with folic acid-only supplement.

- Crackers by the bedside (saltines vs. graham crackers). You will know which work for you. Take a bite in the middle of the night and or as soon as you wake up, before you even get out of bed.

- Peppermint vs. Andes mints

- Biting straight into a lemon. The saying is “sour fruits calm a sour stomach”.

- Gingerale, ginger candies, ginger pops, ginger capsules daily have been proven in the literature to help

- Get lots of sleep, listen to that inner voice that is telling you to go to bed even when you think it is too early when the clock reads 7 o’clock pm. Rejecting the temptation to stay up for one more Netflix show will make a huge difference

- Seabands- These are pressure point wrist bands that take the edge off and are only $8 on Amazon. I have found that the instructions for the location of the pressure point are non-specific in most package inserts. However, where you place the bead of the band happens to be very important because the Seabands won’t work unless they are in the correct spot. Please as your provider if there is any question regarding the correct pressure-point location.

- If you decide that you desire medications to help you control your nausea/vomiting of pregnancy, I recommend trying Vitamin B6 three times per day and Unisom at bedtime. The first-line recommended drug we prescribe is a combination of these two medications and can be found over-the-counter, which is helpful since many insurance companies don’t cover the prescribed version anyway.

May we all be inspired during this time of year to make and achieve new goals. May this help improve our own personal life experience and make the world around us a better place. I wish you the BEST in this coming new year! Happy 2022:)  

Author

Britney Gibby, DO Britney Gibby, DO, is one of the skilled physicians on the team at Premier OB-Gyn. She enjoys helping women of all ages.She has extensive experience managing high-risk obstetric patients, those with abnormal bleeding, and fertility concerns. Dr. Gibby was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Physiology and Developmental Biology with a minor in Ballroom Dance from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Dr. Gibby attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL, subsequently completing her residency training in the greater Detroit area through the Henry Ford Health System. Dr. Gibby loves helping women through the delivery process. She also has special training in performing minimally invasive surgery, including robotic and vaginal gynecologic surgeries. Outside of the office, Dr. Gibby and her husband, Jared Gibby, DMD, love being parents and are blessed to have three cute sons, along with a Boxer named Marvel.