Correct oral care during pregnancy
During pregnancy the female endocrine system undergoes change, which manifests in a number of symptoms in the oral cavity. Progesterone and estrogen may cause the gums to swell and pregnancy gingivitis may develop (mostly in the second trimester) which results in an increased pile-up of plaque at the gum edges. Mothers-to-be therefore should pay increased attention to oral hygiene and thorough brushing after each meal.
A lot of mothers-to-be are affected by nausea and vomiting in the initial period, which is why many neglect thorough oral hygiene, being as they are, afraid of nausea induced even by the toothbrush. This would sadly lend credence to the saying “Gain a child and lose a tooth.” The present article aims to prove this wrong, and urge women to change, since just a tad more attention may go a long way in the prevention of dental issues during pregnancy.
Rather than brushing right after vomiting, you are advised to rinse several times to decrease the concentration of acids in the mouth (thus preventing gastric acid from working its damage on the tooth enamel), and brush thoroughly only 15-20 minutes thereafter.
Thorough brushing is advised several times a day for at least 2 minutes and with a soft bristle toothbrush. Also remember to brush in between your teeth and around the gum edges. To this end, dental floss, interdental brushes, single-tufted brushes and oral irrigators, and a combination of these, can be used.
In case of increased nausea, select a small-headed toothbrush in order to decrease nausea induced by the toothbrush. For this purpose, a single-tufted brush may also stand in good stead, having as it does rather a small head, which allows for the easy cleaning of rear teeth as well.
In case of an implant or any other replacement teeth, their thorough and regular cleaning during pregnancy is all-important. If neglected, gingivitis may entail bone resorption as a result of which gum recedes from crowns already mounted, which is unappealing. Additional tooth care products (such as single-tufted brushes, interdental brushes, Super floss, dental floss) suited for the cleaning of crowns, bridges and dental implants should be used on a daily basis.
All mothers-to-be protect their foetus and wants to give them their level best. Thoroughly cleaning and regularly having our teeth checked goes a long way in giving our child our utmost (image credit: internet)
Also remember to report for the mandatory dental check-ups. You are advised to do so twice, first in the first trimester, before week 12 so that any necessary dental interventions can be performed well in time. Dental treatments for a mother-to-be are ideally timed between the fourth and the sixth months.
Many mothers-to-be are afraid of anaesthetics or any drugs, but there is no reason to worry. Your dentist will only prescribe anaesthetics and medicines having no or minimal side effects. It is important to note at this point that an untreated carious tooth or gingivitis can cause more issues to the foetus than a minimum amount of medicine or anaesthetics.
The second visit to the dentist should be scheduled for the third trimester when a follow-up examination is due, since the mother’s-to-be carious teeth or periodontitis may bring on preterm delivery or low birth weight.
What kind of dental interventions can be performed on mothers-to-be?
Almost any dental intervention can be performed during gestation. That said, it is advisable to postpone major interventions in the first trimester, but virtually anything is allowed thereafter. Nor even X-rays should be intimidating. Thanks to low radiation doses delivered by today’s state-of-the-art devices, their use poses no risk whatsoever. Especially when compared to the risks associated with acute dental disorders. Of course, unless radiography is warranted, it will not be performed on mothers-to-be.
The same goes for pain relief medication and topical anaesthesia. Pain relievers are safe to be used during gestation. The active agents of the anaesthetic injection are metabolised by tissue enzymes without the metabolites entering circulation, and can therefore be safely administered to mothers-to-be as well. What is more, it must be pointed out that by the incidental omission of topical anaesthesia and sustaining major pain, the mother-to-be exposes the foetus to way more risk than by having her pain relieved. Chronic pain and stress release substances in the body that may be detrimental to the foetus.
What can I do for the health of my child-to-be?
Food and drink consumed during gestation greatly affect foetal development. Primary dentition begins between the second and third month of pregnancy, but the formation of the palate and the lips begin as early as in the 4th to 6th foetal week.
The permanent tooth germs begin to form several months prior to birth. This is also why a balanced, protein rich diet and the intake of calcium, phosphor, and vitamins (especially vitamins C and D) are important.
Vitamin A is required for the development of tooth enamel, vitamin C caters to the development of dentin, whereas vitamin D assists the absorption of calcium and phosphor. The diminished intake of such nutrients results in the deformation of the mouth and the development of teeth prone to decay.
Gestation also brings on changes in the mothers’-to-be dietary routines. The quality of nutrition and the intake of minerals (calcium, protein, vitamin and fluoride intake) must be appropriate. Preferably, sticky, easily fermenting sugary foods should be avoided as they stick to the teeth and gums (gum candies, dried fruits) and linking up with tartar, they damage the dental enamel, which leads to tooth decay. Equally detrimental is sipping flavoured and coloured waters and carbonated soft drinks all day long, or sucking breath freshening candies, for that matter. Mothers-to-be are better advised to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, which do not clean the teeth either but increase salivation.
Our life style and the quality of food consumed during pregnancy also affect the health of the developing foetus (image credit: internet)
Forgot smoking and alcohol consumption!
Smoking not only endangers us and the foetus, but also deteriorates blood circulation in the mouth. Damaged capillaries do not deliver sufficient amounts of nutrients and vitamins to the gums, and tissues and periodontal disease, inflammation and infection may develop. To make matters worse, smoking puts mothers-to-be with dental implants and tooth replacements at further risk, since it is extremely detrimental to endocrine changes affecting the bone and sensitive gums, increasing the risk of receding gums, pocket formation and bone decay and the rejection of the implant. Should you have any queries and complaints or need help as regards oral care, visit our clinic and feel free to seek the help of our colleagues.