Pregnancy is a special journey, and taking care of your health is an important part. Dental health during pregnancy can have a significant impact on both you and your baby’s well-being. If you’re living with diabetes, it’s even more crucial to prioritize regular dental check-ups. Here’s why:
Diabetes and Dental Health
Living with diabetes means managing more than just glucose levels (obviously you know it’s a FULL time job!) It means paying extra attention to your overall health, including your oral hygiene. Diabetes can increase the risk of gum inflammation, such as gingivitis. But let’s be honest, good dental hygiene is essential for everyone, not just those with diabetes. However, diabetes does give us that little extra kick in the booty to stay on top of our health like everyone should be!
Pregnancy and Gingivitis
Nearly 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, this is for people living WITHOUT diabetes. An early stage of periodontal disease that occurs when the gums become red and swollen from inflammation that may be aggravated by changing hormones during pregnancy. If gingivitis is not treated, the bone that supports the teeth can be lost, and the gums can become infected. Teeth with little bone support can become loose and may eventually have to be extracted. Periodontitis has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. However, how periodontitis may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes is not yet fully understood.
The Diabetes Factor
Did you know: Gingivitis for people living WITH diabetes increases glucose and insulin resistance?!
Conclusion:
When it comes to keeping your blood sugars in a tight range and hitting those pregnancy targets, it’s an even more important reason to stay on top of your cleanings to prevent gingivitis. We don’t need any additional challenges in managing our blood glucose levels, so prevention is key—it’s an essential step in your journey to a healthy pregnancy.
Toothpaste I use that is all-natural and free of SLS Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS is what makes toothpaste foam, and fluoride. In other words, it’s safe to use during pregnancy.
Managing blood sugars is hard, especially during pregnancy. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re experiencing mild to moderate ketones, don’t panic. Here’s everything you’ll want to know.
