Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause a lot of issues with the way that your body handles everyday things. One of the main issues is plaque buildup. During pregnancy, the spike estrogen, and other hormones can make it difficult for your mouth to properly react to plaque and bacteria in your mouth. This often leads to an increase in tooth decay and can result in a serious gum disease like periodontal disease. Once periodontal disease occurs, it is extremely difficult to get rid of. Luckily, there are a few dental rinses that you should use during pregnancy in order to keep periodontal disease at bay. 

Lime Rinse

Lime is sometimes overlooked for its more popular relative lemons, but the fruit contains its own set of healing properties. Lime contains antibacterial properties that make it ideal for preventing infections in fresh wounds. A lime rinse can be created by grating the rind from a fresh lime and placing it in a cup of water. Add the lime juice from that same lime to the cup as well. Pour the mixture into a pot and allow it to boil. Once it boils, remove it from the stove and allow the mixture to steep for a few hours. When ready to use, concentrate the mixture around your gum line. This is where you will have the most plaque buildup. Hold the lime rinse in your mouth for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Peppermint Rinse

Peppermint is considered to be a multipurpose herb. The herb is frequently incorporated into cold and flu medicines and can be found in dental care products. The herb is commonly used because it contains anything from antibacterial to anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it a good solution for controlling bacteria growth. A homemade peppermint rinse can easily be made using a handful fresh peppermint leaves. Place the leaves in a pot of water and allow the mixture to boil. Let the mixture sit overnight. Use the mixture in the morning and night in order to kill off any unwanted bacteria. Work the rinse around your gums and throughout your teeth. The peppermint rinse can also be used as a drink that you can consume throughout the day.

Worrying about dental care during pregnancy may seem insignificant. However, periodontal disease is costly and time-consuming to get rid of. Therefore, use these tips to help keep the gum disease at bay. Contact a local periodontist for further assistance.