Whoa, Baby! Your Gums Are Bleeding! Three Simple Ways To Protect Your Mouth Against Pregnancy Gingivitis
Pregnancy gingivitis is so common that every one out of two pregnant women report having it. This condition is caused when hormones constantly fluctuate, making your teeth more susceptible to the bacteria and plaque that causes gingivitis. There are ways you can help protect you mouth and stop the bleeding and swelling that occurs when you're pregnant. Below is a list of simple ingredients that will help your mouth and are safe enough to use while you are baking your little bundle of joy.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a great source of the essential vitamins needed to battle plaque and destroy bacteria. Lemon juice will also help reduce the amount of swelling in your gums while the acid in this ingredient helps to stop further infection. If you use lemon juice, you have to use it no more than every other night. The same acid that helps kill off the bacteria will eat away at the enamel in your teeth if used too often.
The best way to use lemon juice to fight off pregnancy gingivitis is to turn it into a toothpaste. Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of baking soda. Mix the two ingredients until it forms a thick paste. Massage the paste into your gums and let it sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing your mouth with warm water. If you want a little more protection for your mouth and teeth, add a teaspoon of salt to the mix. The salt helps your gums heal and will stop them from bleeding.
Honey
One of the best and safest ways to protect your mouth against pregnancy gingivitis and reverse its effects is to use honey. Honey is a natural antibacterial, so it will reduce the swelling and bleeding that is caused by gingivitis. Honey is also an antioxidant, so while it is reducing the swelling it your mouth, it will also restore the health in your gums.
To turn honey into a toothpaste, you will need to mix in two teaspoons of the ingredient in with one tablespoon of baking soda. Honey is mild enough to use on your teeth, so instead of massaging it into your gums, you are going to brush with it. When you are done with your brushing, rinse your mouth out with warm water to remove anything that sticks behind.
Cranberries
One of the reasons that cranberries are so healthy is because they are full of natural antioxidants. Antioxidants aid in the removal of bacteria, causing the bleeding of your gums to stop. Many pregnant women opt to drink cranberry juice in order to help the health of their gums. If you choose to drink it, you need to be careful not to purchase cranberry juice that has added sugar. The high sugar levels will only hurt your mouth instead of help it.
You can also make a cranberry paste if you don't want to drink it every day. Smash ten cranberries into one tablespoon of baking soda until it is blended well. Apply a small amount of the paste to your finger and massage the solution into your teeth and gums. Let the paste sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing your mouth out with warm water.
Pregnancy gingivitis is common and shouldn't scare you. As soon as your hormones are back to normal levels, the gingivitis will go away. However, in the meantime, the ingredients listed above are effective enough to heal your mouth and stop the effects while being safe enough to use while pregnant. If you have other questions or need to see a dentist, contact Health Centered Dentistry.
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