Why Pre-Natal Dental Care Is Important
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life with welcome - and unwelcome - changes affecting her entire body including the mouth. Many of the changes are tied to the increase of certain hormones, namely, estrogen and progesterone.
How do hormones affect the gums?
During pregnancy hormones can cause gums to become tender, inflamed, red, and more likely to bleed. As the mother’s blood volume increases, there’s an even greater likelihood of bleeding gums. Occasionally a swelling in the gum occurs, called pyogenic granuloma or “pregnancy tumor.” These are benign tumors and usually resolve by themselves. If the swelling persists, it can be removed by your dentist.
Get your teeth cleaned.
The key is oral hygiene. The more meticulous your oral hygiene, the less likely the gums will exhibit symptoms. This applies to at home and in the dentist’s chair. Many pregnant women shy away from visiting the dentist. They should be doing the exact opposite. An expectant woman should have her teeth cleaned several times during the pregnancy.
Insurance companies routinely cover two cleanings per year, but some policies have now expanded this benefit to three cleanings for pregnant women. That speaks to the importance of oral hygiene during pregnancy when an insurance company adds benefits!
Myth #1: It’s an old wives’ tale that a woman loses one tooth for each pregnancy. There’s no reason a single tooth should be lost.
What happens to teeth during pregnancy?
Primarily due to changing behaviors, teeth may become more vulnerable. A pregnant woman may be eating less but more frequently throughout the day. Chances are her oral hygiene isn’t matching this eating schedule.
She may also be vomiting. After vomiting, the mouth becomes very acidic and the acid may damage the teeth. Avoid the urge to brush immediately and wait 20 to 30 minutes. Brushing right away only serves to brush the acid directly on your teeth. Instead, rinse with a baking soda solution to neutralize the pH in the mouth. Or water. Stay away from acidic mouthwashes.
Myth #2: Calcium is leached out of the mother’s teeth into the fetus. No, that doesn’t happen, although pregnant women do need extra calcium.
Nutrition is critical.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. It’s equally important for the mother to get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamins, including A, C, and D that are vital to developing teeth.
Fluoride also plays a role in the primary teeth which develop in utero. A naturally occurring element, fluoride was accidentally discovered to improve the strength of tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to cavities. A prescribed concentration of fluoride is added to many municipal water systems. Bottled water containing fluoride is also available. Despite the misinformation around fluoride, especially on social media, the majority of dentists regard fluoride as one way of insuring stronger teeth.
Pregnancy is not a time to avoid dental care.
If treatment is necessary, it can be performed safely. When I was a new dentist, the thinking and common practice was to defer almost all treatment until after the baby’s birth. Over the years, based on data and research, this philosophy has evolved. Now dentists and obstetricians alike consider dental treatment safe for pregnant women.
Ideally treatment during the second trimester is desirable when the mother may be at her most comfortable. Judicious taking of X-rays is also safe. Many local anesthetics are perfectly safe. What’s potentially harmful is leaving an infected tooth as this can cause damage to the mother and developing baby.
There are some things to avoid:
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas
Any pregnant dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant should also refrain from being in the treatment room when nitrous oxide is used.
Discretionary procedures
Procedures like bleaching should be postponed until after delivery and, if applicable, after breastfeeding is complete. Cosmetic procedures such as veneers should be postponed due to the likelihood of bleeding gums. It’s difficult to get a beautiful result if the gums are not in tiptop condition.
Any pain medication not recommended by your physician
