Hi, I’m Dr. Laura Schmidt. As both a dentist, parent and small business owner I understand how chaotic and overwhelming pregnancy and postpartum can be! Dental health often falls to the bottom of the to-do list, but it’s important to stay on top of it during this life stage. Here’s what I share with my patients—and what I’ve followed myself.
Pregnancy Dental Health: Prioritizing Your Oral Health
Pregnancy brings many changes, including to your gums—hormonal shifts can cause pregnancy gingivitis and gum inflammation, which means your gums might bleed more easily when you floss or brush. Even if they’re not bleeding, I highly recommend seeing your hygienist every 3-4 months for cleanings and checkups to keep things under control.
- What to watch for → Gum sensitivity and sporadic bleeding.
- What to do → Regular professional cleanings (scaling and root planing) and extra diligent oral hygiene—including regular flossing.
Fluoride is perfectly safe during pregnancy and helps keep your teeth strong and cavity-free, so be sure to stick to fluoride toothpaste. I used fluoride toothpaste and a fluoride rinse throughout both my pregnancies.
Postpartum Dental Health: Stress, Snacking, and Self-Care
As a mom, I know how easy it is to let self-care and personal health slide in those early months—I often see new moms come in for their first postpartum checkup with new cavities or lingering gum issues. There’s a common myth that “the baby took all my calcium and weakened my teeth,” which is not true. What actually happens is a combination of factors:
- Stress → During times of stress your body makes less saliva and becomes more acidic, both of which promote cavities.
- Frequent snacking—especially those midnight carb-loaded snacks which you need for extra energy— feeds cavity-causing bacteria.
- Inconsistent brushing → “Did I even brush today?” is a common question in those sleep-deprived days (I can relate!).
My advice is to take care of yourself as best as you can and give yourself grace during this transition period of your life. Find a dentist who understands and will support you through this short but intense phase. It’s okay if your routine isn’t perfect—just do what you can. Hot tip: set reminders on your phone for flossing and brushing—it may seem silly but it can be simple and effective!
Building Good Oral Health Habits for Your Little Ones
Now, let’s talk about your little one’s dental health. Did you know that parents with untreated cavities can pass harmful bacteria to their kids through sharing utensils or even kisses? Make sure your oral health is in top shape to help protect from infecting their little mouths with cavity-causing bacteria.
- First teeth → They usually start to come in between 6-12 months, but don’t worry if your child is early or late—it all evens out.
- Brushing baby teeth → Use a soft baby toothbrush with a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (smaller than a grain of rice). It’s perfectly fine if they swallow it (and they will!). I use fluoride toothpaste with both my kids and they didn’t learn to spit into the sink until at least 4. It’s all good!
Fluoride strengthens developing teeth and keeps them cavity-resistant, which is especially important in areas (like Vancouver, B.C.!) that don’t have fluoridated water.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Your child’s first dental visit should be between ages 1-3. The goal is to get them comfortable with the setting. At Park & Tilford Dental, we use the “Tell-Show-Do” method:
- Tell: We explain things using fun terms like the “squirt gun” for the water sprayer, “wind” for the air, and “Mr. Thirsty” for the little suction tool.
- Show: Let them touch and feel some of the tools to get familiar.
- Do: Gently proceed with the checkup (we have a TV on the ceiling which REALLY helps too!), at the end of their visit they get a sugar-free lollipop.
We also talk to toddlers about “sugarbugs”—little bugs that live in the mouth and create plaque and cavities. Toddlers get pretty motivated to brush when we tell them that sugarbugs “pee in their mouth” and cause cavities. Using this terminology can be helpful for you at home, they will look a combo of shocked, grossed and amazed when you drop this information! Most kids are happy to brush after this is explained in their terms.
Tips for Brushing with Toddlers
- Any fluoride toothpaste is fine. Whatever flavor they like.
- Consistency is key. Your child may resist at first, but keep at it! Both my kids cried for the first little bit but they adapted over time.
- Brush twice a day. If mornings are hectic, focus on a thorough brushing at night after all eating is done.
Taking care of your teeth during pregnancy and postpartum can feel like just one more task, but small, consistent efforts can pay off for both you and your child’s future smiles and save you headaches (toothaches) and money in the long run.
Wishing you and your family healthy, happy teeth.
About Dr. Laura Schmidt
Laura is a dentist and owner of Park & Tilford Dental. Located in North Vancouver B.C., this well-established and loved dental practice is a big part of the North Shore community. The team at Park & Tilford Dental pride themselves on providing a comfortable, family-friendly environment. Laura lives in North Vancouver with her husband and two small children aged 5 and 3.
