Can I brush my teeth during confinement?

There is a saying among the elderly that you cannot brush your teeth during the confinement period. In fact, this is a relatively old custom and an unscientific custom. During the confinement period, women can brush their teeth in the correct way, which can not only maintain their comfort but also prevent various oral diseases. Below, we will introduce you in detail the relevant knowledge about brushing your teeth during confinement.

1. Can’t I brush my teeth during confinement?

According to the old customs of our country, it is believed that mothers cannot brush their teeth during the confinement period. In fact, this statement is wrong. Due to the influence of female hormones, mothers will experience swollen and congested gums during the confinement period, and their gums will bleed easily when they brush their teeth. This may be the reason why the old custom holds that mothers should not brush their teeth.

Brushing teeth is the main method of cleaning teeth and periodontal tissues. After eating, food residues will remain between teeth and in the gaps between teeth and gums, where bacteria will breed in a short period of time, thus causing periodontitis. This not only affects the health of the teeth themselves, but may also become a hiding place for potential pathogens. When the body's resistance is weakened, it will cause systemic infection. Therefore, oral hygiene is very important to pregnancy outcomes. Periodontitis can cause miscarriage, premature birth, and intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus. It is also important to protect oral hygiene after childbirth, especially if you often eat greasy, high-protein foods. You should brush your teeth after every meal. When brushing your teeth, use a soft toothbrush. Do not brush horizontally, but brush vertically and carefully to clean out food accumulation between the teeth. If you don't brush your teeth, it will cause periodontitis, loose teeth or even tooth loss.

2. Why do you need to brush your teeth during confinement?

Compared with women who have caesarean sections, women have better physical fitness after natural births. Therefore, many women who give birth naturally do not pay much attention to confinement after childbirth. In fact, this practice is incorrect. For example, brushing your teeth, which seems simple, is also something that needs attention.

During the confinement period, mothers eat more meals and a lot of sweets. They sleep right after eating, and food residues remain in the teeth. When they ferment and turn acid, they will erode the tooth enamel and corrode the dentin, forming caries, or tooth decay. If caries continues to develop, dental diseases such as pulpitis and periodontitis will occur. So there is an old saying that when you give birth to a child, you lose a tooth. It can be seen that it is unscientific for postpartum women not to brush their teeth.

3. How to brush your teeth during confinement?

The mother should develop the habit of brushing her teeth every day as usual, but she should pay attention to the method: soak the toothbrush in warm water to soften it when brushing; do not brush your teeth in a reckless manner, and avoid brushing horizontally. Use the vertical brushing method, that is, brush the upper teeth from bottom to top, brush the lower teeth from bottom to top, and brush back and forth on the occlusal surface. This is the only way to keep the teeth thoroughly clean. Brush your teeth carefully after getting up in the morning and before going to bed at night. Rinse your mouth with warm water or mouthwash after eating.