Dentists Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa Creaven share oral care tips for pregnant women

My teeth became so damaged during my first pregnancy.

I had near constant morning sickness that was beginning to discolour and weaken my teeth and I'm not alone in having teeth related trouble during pregnancy. During pregnancy, about half of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This results in the gums bleeding, becoming red and swollen from inflammation and can be caused by changing hormones during pregnancy. So how can we best look after our smiles during pregnancy? We asked dentists Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa Creaven their advice and these are their eight top tips for looking after your teeth during pregnancy: 1. Visit your hygienist for a deep clean and for advice when you discover that you’re pregnant. Make sure to see your dentist regularly throughout your pregnancy. 2. Use a sonic brush to brush your teeth so that you’re really getting a good clean and avoiding plaque buildup. 3. Brush your teeth at least twice daily for at least two minutes each time with clinically proven active ingredients. 4. Floss daily to help avoid food and plaque build up between the teeth and the gums. 5. Use an Alcohol Free Mouthwash. Alcohol is not an ideal ingredient to rinse with every day as it is carcinogenic and also is very drying on the oral tissues. 6. Eat a balanced diet and avoid sugary snacks and acidic drinks. 7. If you’re suffering from morning sickness, rinse your mouth with water each time after vomiting to avoid acid damaging your teeth. You should also wait an hour after vomiting to brush your teeth as your teeth may be softened from the acid in your stomach. 8. Feel confident in your smile - you can continue to use our whitening toothpaste when pregnant. It contains fluoride which will help prevent tooth decay. However, we do not recommend using our whitening strips during pregnancy or breastfeeding. For more tips you can visit their website here.