I remember finding it very strange that dental check-ups were on-the-house when I first became pregnant with Dexter. Previous to my pregnancy I’d struggled to find a dentist surgery that accepted NHS patients so opted into DenPlan. When my doctor informed me that every pregnant woman here in the UK is entitled to free dental care (and for 1 year post-partum) - I grabbed my NHS exemption card and coveted it as though it were a winning lottery ticket.

I quickly learnt the importance of good oral health in pregnancy when the morning sickness flared. The acidity and subsequent over-brushing has left me with sensitive teeth to this day.

Aside from the more obvious changes your body will experience during pregnancy, your teeth may also suffer if not cared for correctly. Pregnancy related dental problems affect around 40% of expectant mothers and are usually caused by a higher concentration of the hormone progesterone. Dental problems that may not have presented themselves before pregnancy may soon rear their ugly head. Hormone changes, morning sickness, sensitivity to medications … all these things can affect your teeth and increase your likelihood of developing gingivitis, granulomas and pregnancy-induced diabetes.

Post-pregnancy, progesterone levels tend to return to normal pretty quickly, and you may think the risk to your teeth subsides as a result. Yet the stresses and strains of dealing with a new baby can be a real shock to your body and your oral hygiene and diet may suffer. Portman Healthcare have come up with an informative infographic on post-pregnancy dental care and it’s definitely worth sharing. Simply keeping atop of your oral health and respecting what you put into your body will pay dividends in the long run.