Oral health in pregnancy

If you are sick, the acid from your stomach can weaken the hard outside layer of your teeth.

This layer is called enamel. Enamel cannot grow back once it is worn away.

What to do after being sick

• Rinse your mouth with water
• Do not brush for 30 minutes (Brushing too soon spreads acid and causes more damage)

• Brush twice a day.
• Before bed is the most important time
  • At night your body makes less saliva.
  • Saliva helps wash away food and drink.
  • Because you have less saliva, your teeth are more at risk while you sleep.

1. Put a pea‑sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush.
2. Brush your teeth and gums for 2 minutes.
3. Spit out the toothpaste when you are finished.
4. Do not rinse your mouth or toothbrush with water. Rinsing washes away the fluoride, which helps protect your teeth.

Fluoride protects teeth against decay. Check the toothpaste tube for the amount of fluoride:

• Minimum 1000ppm
• Better protection: 1350 to 1500ppm

Cravings are common in pregnancy, but sugary food and drink can harm teeth. Sugar feeds bacteria. These bacteria make acid, which weakens enamel.

Tips

• Have sugary foods at the end of a main meal, not between meals
• Rinse your mouth with water afterwards

Lower-sugar snack ideas

• Wholegrain crackers
• Vegetables with hummus
• Nuts and seeds
• Breadsticks
• Plain popcorn
• Greek yoghurt with fruit

Eating less sugar helps protect your teeth.

Visit the NHS: Healthier food swaps page  for simple, everyday food swap ideas.

It is safe and important to see a dentist while pregnant.

Most routine care is safe in all stages of pregnancy. If you are unsure, your dentist can advise you.

Free NHS dental care

You can get free NHS dental care if you are:

• pregnant
• a mother of a baby under 12 months old

Ask your midwife how to apply for this.

Visit the find a dentist (ADD LINK) page to find a dentist.