Dental Care During Pregnancy: Safe Procedures and Tips
Published on 8/8/2025
TL;DR
Pregnancy heightens the importance of dental care, with increased risks like gingivitis and tooth decay. Brushing, routine checkups, and safe rinses help protect you and your baby. Don’t skip appointments—dentists can adjust care for your pregnancy. With the right tips, staying on top of oral health is easier than you think.
Who has time for routine when pregnant? Exhaustion, bloating, nausea, and more can really take its toll on mindfulness and self-care, can’t it?
But we’re here to tell you that caring for yourself is the best thing you can do for both yourself and your baby. After all, you are your baby’s home for the next nine or so months.
It’s with this in mind that we’ve assembled some helpful pregnancy and dental care tips. These insights will help ensure you’re minding your dental care while pregnant.
Brush Twice a Day (At Least)
Nothing can be easier to maintain than a habit unbroken.
Your oral health is always important, but it’s even more important to maintain solid dental care while pregnant. Why? Because poor pregnancy dental care can lead to excess plaque in your cardiovascular system, tooth decay, diabetes, and more. And each of those issues can put your baby at risk.
So, heed your dentist’s advice and brush at least twice a day. Though if we’re splitting hairs, brushing after every meal is really preferred.
Look Out for Gingivitis
Pregnant women have an increased risk of gum inflammation, gingivitis, and other forms of periodontal disease. This is likely caused by your body’s increased inflammatory response during this period. And this is what makes pregnancy dental care so crucial.
If you notice puffy gums, bleeding, or other signs of gum disease, we recommend speaking with your dentist. They will be able to offer the best course of action that will be safe for both you and your baby.
Plan a Post-Morning Sickness Routine
That sick-to-your-stomach feeling is all-but-universal for pregnancy. But did you know morning sickness can wreak havoc on more than just your appetite?
Vomiting can be harmful to your teeth, due to the excess stomach acids in your mouth following an episode. And unfortunately, while you may be worried about bad breath, chewing a quick piece of mint gum simply won’t cut it.
If you experience morning sickness, a swish with a baking soda solution can help mitigate the acidic corrosion. You can make this at home safely and cost-effectively. However, if you crave that minty aftertaste, some brands sell mint-flavored sodium bicarbonate rinses over the counter!
Keep Up with Your Regular Checkups
There is a common misconception that a dental office visit could be harmful for a pregnant woman or their baby. However, this is patently untrue. Dental checkups are an intrinsic part of maintaining a healthy body.
However, there are some reasons why your dentist should be notified that you are pregnant before your visit.
Knowing you are pregnant will help them to look out for gingivitis (as we mentioned is a higher risk for pregnant women). It will also prevent your care team from using the X-ray during your visit.
Of course, with a 6-month cadence, you likely will only visit the dentist once during your baby‘s term. Just remember, when you’re in the thick of diaper changes, bottle cleaning, and sleep training to keep up with your appointments!
Safe and Reliable Dental Care for Pregnant Women
Dentologie welcomes patients of all kinds into our friendly and convenient practices. We are equipped to work with you on any aspect of your dental needs. This includes regular checkups during pregnancy, gum disease risks, and more.
If you are nervous about visiting the dentist while pregnant, speak with our team. Whether you visit us in Chicago or Seattle, consider our practice. We’re confident you’ll love your visit regardless of whether you’re newly pregnant or about to pop!