Pregnancy
When fresh life starts to stir within… A mother’s happiness begins when she hears a little heartbeat for the first time, and a playful kick tells her that she is never alone.”
Congratulations on starting this new and exciting chapter of your life! You have a lot on your mind during pregnancy, but don’t forget about your teeth and gums. It’s easy to forget about your mouth while pregnant, but it can actually worsen a number of dental problems.
Any previous miscarriages, cramps, or spotting should be disclosed to your dentist. Before initiating dental treatment, you should check with an obstetrician.
For good oral hygiene, nutritional counselling and thorough plaque control procedures are required.
Brushing and flossing are also good for your overall health, and a healthy mouth means a healthy mouth for your baby.
Habits that are healthy for you
One of the many responsibilities that comes with being pregnant is oral hygiene. Routine dental appointments are generally safe for pregnant women, but let your dentist know what month you are in when making an appointment. Your dentist and physician may urge you to postpone treatment if you are pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy or have another medical concern. Notify your dentist if your medications have changed or if you’ve received any specific advice from your doctor. The benefits of receiving dental care while pregnant much outweigh the risks. Any changes in your mouth should be reported to your dentist, such as swelling, redness, or bleeding.
Here are some mouth-healthy tips to keep in mind when pregnant:
- According to the IDA, brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
- At least once a day, floss between your teeth.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you must nibble, limit yourself to a few bites.
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis for a thorough cleaning and checkup.
- If plaque is a problem for you, your dentist may recommend using an antibiotic mouth rinse at night.
- If you have morning sickness and are vomiting frequently, try washing with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water. Brush your teeth as soon as possible after vomiting if at all possible.
- Erosion can occur when stomach acids come into contact with teeth on a regular basis, causing tooth enamel to erode away.
- Smoking, drinking, and drug use should all be avoided.
- Maintain a Stress-Free Lifestyle: Being joyful, tranquil, and content is the key to good health.
Pregnancy Nutritional Advice
A pregnant woman eats for two people: her unborn child and herself.
Did you know that a baby’s teeth begin to form between the third and sixth months of pregnancy?
As a result, choosing sensible nutritional choices now can help your child smile for the rest of his or her life. You’ll need a lot of nutrients during your pregnancy, according to the IDA, including vitamins A, B, C, and D, protein, calcium, and phosphorous.
Here is a list of things to remember while pregnant:
- Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, breads, and crackers, as well as dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yoghurt, should all be consumed in moderation.
- Sweets, cookies, cake, and dried fruit, as well as high-sugar beverages like juice, fruit-flavored drinks, and soft drinks, should be avoided.
- Snack on low-sugar foods including fruits and vegetables, as well as plain yoghurt.
- Read the nutritional information on food packages to find low-sugar options.
- If you suffer from nausea, try eating small quantities of nutritious meals throughout the day.
- Drink water or milk instead of juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or soft drinks.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks.
- To reduce the risk of birth defects, take 600 mcg of folic acid every day throughout your pregnancy. Consume folate-rich foods such as asparagus, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, as well as legumes (beans, peas, lentils), papaya, tomato juice, oranges or orange juice, strawberries, melons, and bananas. grain items enriched with folic acid (breads, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, white rice.)
- Deficiency in these nutrients affects tooth growth in a variety of ways:
- Essential minerals include calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D.
- The hard structure of the tooth is less mineralized.
- Enamel production is inhibited when vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, is consumed.
- Flouride causes greater tooth demineralization in an acidic environment.
- An overabundance of flouride in the body causes fluorosis.
Concerns Specific to You
Tell your dentist if you’re having a kid. As a precaution, dental treatments should be avoided throughout the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. This is a critical time in the baby’s growth, and it’s simply best to keep the mother away from any operations that could harm the baby’s development.
On the other hand, routine dental treatment can be received throughout the second trimester. All dental procedures that aren’t absolutely necessary should be delayed until the baby is delivered.
Tell your dentist about all of your medications, including any prescriptions or prenatal vitamins your doctor has prescribed, as well as any specific medical advice you’ve received from your doctor. Your dentist may need to adjust your dental treatment plan based on this information.
Tetracycline, for example, can impair your child’s teeth development and should not be taken during pregnancy.
According to the IDA, you should not put off your dental appointment just because you are pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your risk of periodontal disease and bleeding gums, a condition known as pregnant gingivitis. Regular periodontal (gum) exams are more important than ever before.
When you’re pregnant, pay special attention to any changes in your gums. Consult your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible if you develop any gum irritation, bleeding, or swelling throughout your pregnancy.
Oral Health Concerns During Pregnancy:
During Pregnancy, Gingivitis
The mouth might be affected by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Pregnancy gingivitis, for example, is a gum infection that can cause swelling and pain in some women.
Your gums may bleed a little when you brush or floss your teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease. Your dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings to avoid this.
Medications
Several drugs might be used to make you more comfortable before and after dental treatment. You should tell your dentist about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re using. This information will help your dentist figure out what kind of medicine, if any, you’ll need. Your dentist and doctor can work together to determine which medications, such as pain relievers and antibiotics, are safe to take while pregnant. If you have any concerns, talk to your dentist and doctor. They’re both concerned about you and your child.
X-Rays
An X-ray may be required if you have a dental emergency or need to diagnose a dental condition. Although dental X-rays generate very little radiation, your dentist or hygienist will wear a lead apron to protect your abdomen. A leaded thyroid collar will be placed around your neck by your dentist to protect your thyroid from radiation.
Pregnancy Tumors
In certain women, tissue overgrowths known as “pregnancy tumours” arise on the gums, most commonly during the second trimester. These non-cancerous swellings or growths are most typically found between the teeth and are thought to be caused by too much plaque. They bleed easily and have a raw-appearing reddish-purple raspberry colour. They usually disappear after your baby is born, but if you’re concerned, speak with your dentist about having them removed. If you notice any changes in your mouth throughout your pregnancy, such as pregnancy tumours, see your dentist.
Ptylism/Sialorrhea
Excessive saliva secretion, commonly known as ptylism or sialorrhea, affects only a small percentage of pregnant women. It usually begins two to three weeks after conception and fades by the end of the first trimester. In certain situations, it may linger till the day of delivery.
Caries
According to clinical studies, pregnancy does not appear to play a role in the development of caries. Pregnancy increases hunger and often necessitates unusual meals, which may result in an increase in local cariogenic factors. If the pregnant woman’s cravings are for cariogenic foods, her risk of developing caries may increase.
Teeth deterioration due to acid (perimylolysis)
Frequent vomiting from morning sickness or esophageal reflux causes acid erosion of the teeth. As a result, the enamel on the back of the front teeth erodes. Women can be urged to rinse their lips with water shortly after vomiting so that stomach acids do not linger in their mouth.
Mobility of the teeth
Generalized tooth motion is conceivable in a pregnant woman. Tooth mobility refers to the degree of looseness of a tooth. The severity of periodontal disease, which destroys the gum and bone connection to the tooth, is most likely to blame for this change. This problem usually improves after birth.
Xerostomia
Dry mouth is a common complaint among pregnant women. One factor could be hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy. Regularly drinking more water, eating sugarless sweets, and chewing gum may help to alleviate this problem.
