Calcium Intake and Nursing

Japanese researchers recently found that consuming too-little calcium while nursing could accelerate the progression of gum disease. "Fluctuating hormone elves during and after pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to inflamed, infected gums," explains Susan Karabin, D.D.S., president-elect of the American Academy of Periodontology. "This condition will only worsen if women don't get enough calcium to help build and maintain the bones surrounding their teeth." To avoid your own dental problems, aim for three servings of dairy, fortified juice, or leafy green vegetables, which will meet most of the 1,000-milligram minimum you need every day (though a 500-milligram supplement may provide extra stay-healthy insurance). And even when middle-of-the-night feedings leave you too exhausted to brush your hair, never skip the twice-daily teeth brushing and flossing sessions, says Karabin. This, along with frequent professional cleanings, will get rid of infection-causing plaque and safeguard your smile.