Pregnancy is a natural physiological process accompanied by temporary changes in women’s physical structure, hormone levels, metabolism, and immune systems.
An increased carbohydrate consumption, vomiting acid, reduced saliva production, and an increased acidity of saliva are associated with pregnancy; However, this may alter the risk of oral diseases, such as gum diseases and tooth decay.
Changes in the estrogen and progesterone levels during the pregnancy, makes the immune system less efficient and hence it’s difficult to ward off the dental infection. The chances of getting a gum disease or tooth decay are increased by two times.
Gum diseases are known to be associated with pre-term birth and low birth weight. Women who have a lot of cavity-causing bacteria during pregnancy, tend to transmit these bacteria from their mouth to the mouth of the baby after delivery.
Early contact with these bacteria and other sugar sources, through frequent snacking or taking a bottle to bed, can lead to early childhood cavities and the need for extensive dental care at a young age
Considering all these factors, it is evident that ensuring dental care during pregnancy is very important to considerably improve mothers’ oral health and lower the chance of babies having early dental caries.
There is lack of information for pregnant women regarding the importance for dental appointments during pregnancy, misconceptions regarding the safety of dental treatment during this time, and the lack of a perceived need to attend the dentist during pregnancy
Some of the common dental problems during pregnancy are:
Gum problems:
Changes in your hormones during pregnancy may put you at increased risk of some gum problems. Your gums may bleed while brushing. There could be formation of lumps along the gumline.
Brush twice daily and floss your teeth regularly between the teeth. The lumps on the gumline are generally harmless and go away after the birth of the child, but they make it difficult to clean the teeth. In such cases dental treatment may be required
Dental erosion:
Some pregnant women experience nausea. If this causes you to vomit, acid in the mouth can increase the risk of dental erosion. Constant exposure to this acid can soften and wear down enamel (the hard outside layer of your teeth). This is called dental erosion. To help reduce the loss of enamel, women should not brush their teeth immediately after vomiting. Instead, they should rinse their mouth with sodium bicarbonate-based mouthrinses.
When to schedule an appointment with the dentist:
Dental treatment is considered safe at any time during pregnancy, but you might be more comfortable during your second trimester. Nausea and vomiting are more common during the first trimester, which could make treatment difficult.
During the third trimester, the weight of the baby may cause you to be uncomfortable or even lightheaded during treatment. If so, tell your dentist so that we can make you more comfortable by helping you change positions.
Not to worry- Professional dental care is considered safe during pregnancy! This can help you maintain good oral health, and manage any problems that may develop. Daily care at home is also an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
To know more about this or to get a dental consult to check on your oral health during your pregnancy, book an appointment with us today!
