Dental care during pregnancy: all at the dentist!
Among the (free) preconception exams, a good visit to the dentist should also be foreseen.
Are you wondering why?
I know that thinking about teeth while trying to get pregnant can seem a bit strange and off topic. However, during pregnancy there is commonly an escalation in dental problems, especially if partly pre-existing.
According to a recent study by the ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), it is estimated that around 40% of pregnant women suffer from gingivitis, tooth decay or periodontitis which can also be dangerous for the health of the child she is carrying.
Why is the health of your teeth and gums more at risk during pregnancy?
During pregnancy there is an increase in the concentrations of some hormones including progesterone. These hormones are essential for the continuation of pregnancy but in addition to acting on the endometrium, they also act on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, making them more sensitive and subject to inflammation and infection.
Gingivitis & co. pregnant
It is one of the most common conditions in pregnancy, it manifests itself with red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If it is not treated adequately it can lead to inflammation such as periodontitis which causes the loss of alveolar bone and tooth stability. For this reason, a dentist session is recommended on the 2nd or 3rd pregnancy and another one on the 8th month. According to some studies, periodontitis is linked to the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight of the baby.
If you have already had periodontitis problems before pregnancy, be even more careful during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant here is what you should do for prevention:
Toothbrush and dental floss
To keep your gums healthy you need to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
Visit to the dentist
How long has it been since you went to the dentist?
If you are trying to become pregnant, it is better to get checked.
It would be recommended to have a dental cleaning at the dentist every 6-12 months. If you are pregnant you can do cleanings at shorter intervals if you have previous episodes of periodontitis.
Eat well and don’t smoke
During pregnancy it could be difficult to eat regularly and in the healthiest way possible, especially if you suffer from severe nausea in the first few months . However, try to maintain a balanced diet, which provides the main nutritional principles and is rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, kiwis, tomatoes), D (dairy products, eggs, liver) and calcium which is important for bone mineralization.
Avoid sugary drinks, sweets, fatty foods and sticky foods.
Obviously no smoke which interferes with normal embryonic and fetal growth.
Chewing gum and saliva
Saliva is the largest natural defense mechanism we have in our mouths. If sugar-free gum and gum with xylitol (a particular type of sugar extracted from birch wood) are chewed between one meal and another, the salivary flow increases which helps to wash away food residues, neutralize the acids in the plaque and keep bacteria at bay.
Caries can be treated during pregnancy
If a cavity appears despite all the precautions, it is advisable to have it checked immediately by the dentist. The need or not to intervene through a local ansthesis will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.