What to Eat During Pregnancy for Your and Baby’s Teeth

Good oral hygiene is important during pregnancy. Not only is it necessary for your own health, but you also need to make sure that your baby’s teeth are healthy and developing properly. In this blog post, we will discuss the best foods to eat during pregnancy for your and baby’s teeth. Keep reading for helpful tips!

The Importance of Diet and Dental Health During Pregnancy

It’s no secret that what you eat during pregnancy affects your baby’s health. But did you know that your diet can also impact your dental health? That’s right – the foods you consume during pregnancy can either help or harm your teeth and gums. For example, sugary and acidic foods can contribute to tooth decay. On the other hand, certain nutrients are essential for dental health. For instance, calcium is necessary for strong teeth and bones, while vitamin C helps to keep gums healthy.

What to Eat During Pregnancy for Your and Baby’s Teeth

So, what are the best foods to eat during pregnancy for dental health? Here are some suggestions:

1. Calcium-Rich Foods

As we mentioned, calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones. This is because calcium is a key component of tooth enamel. To ensure that you and your baby get enough calcium, make sure to include plenty of calcium-rich foods in your diet, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, dark leafy greens, and tofu.

2. Vitamin C-Rich Foods

Vitamin C is important for gum health because it helps to reduce inflammation and keep gums healthy. To get enough vitamin C, eat plenty of citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries.

3. Fluoride-Rich Foods

Fluoride is a mineral that helps to prevent tooth decay. To get enough fluoride, drink fluoridated water.  You can also eat fluoride-rich foods, such as fish and tea.

4. Probiotic Foods

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to keep the mouth healthy. Our mouths are full of bacteria, and some types of bacteria can cause dental problems, such as gum disease. Probiotics help to keep the mouth healthy by keeping bad bacteria in check. To get your daily dose of probiotics, eat things like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.

5. Sugar-Free Foods

Sugar is one of the main culprits of tooth decay. To help prevent cavities, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and opt for sugar-free alternatives instead.

How Your Dental Health Can Affect Your Baby

Your dental health is not only important for your own sake – it can also impact your baby’s health. For instance, gum disease has been linked to preterm birth and low birth weight. This can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene and eating a healthy diet.

Taking Care of Your Teeth During Pregnancy

In addition to eating the right foods, there are also some things you can do to take care of your teeth during pregnancy. For instance, you should brush in the morning after breakfast and last thing at night before going to sleep, and floss once a day.

Some pregnant women find they gag while brushing their teeth. If brushing makes you feel sick, try using a soft small-headed toothbrush designed for children and brush later in the morning when you may not gag as much. Concentrate on your breathing as you clean your back teeth.

Brushing without toothpaste may help. Then smear fluoride toothpaste over your teeth after brushing and don’t rinse it off. Return to brushing with fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible.

For healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy, you should also:

• Drink plenty of tap water.The fluoride in tap water strengthens the teeth and helps to prevent decay — and neither fluoride in water nor in toothpaste will harm a developing baby. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any concerns.
• Avoid sugary drinks.
• Eat a wide variety of healthy foods.
• Eat 2 1/2 serves of calcium-rich food, such as milk and milk products, a day. Calcium is very important for your baby’s teeth and bones. A 250mL glass of milk is 1 serve. Find out more about calcium and nutrition and vitamins in pregnancy here.

Make an Appointment with Glacier Creek Dental

If you’re pregnant and have any concerns about your oral health, we encourage you to make an appointment with Glacier Creek Dental. We will work with you to develop a dental care plan that meets your needs. Contact us today for an appointment!