Oral And Dental Health During Pregnancy

Although oral care is always important and necessary, it becomes even more important during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the menopause.

During pregnancy, the amount of oestrogen and progesterone hormones increases in women. This leads to an increased accumulation of plaque in the mouth. This plaque should be removed from the mouth as soon as possible. Plaque that remains in the mouth for some time causes redness and swelling of the gums. This condition is called “pregnancy gingivitis”. Gingivitis can also occur in expectant mothers whose oral health was good before pregnancy. This pregnancy gingivitis, which starts in the 2nd month and can get worse by the 8th month, is relieved by dental cleaning. It heals on its own when the pregnancy is over.

Expectant mothers with bleeding gums should not stop brushing their teeth and should get support from a dentist. Major problems await pregnant women who do not brush their teeth to prevent their gums from bleeding. Any problems in the mouth will be aggravated.

During pregnancy, an increase in the acidity of the salivary secretion is observed, which accelerates the formation of caries. Especially in the first few months, stomach acid enters the mouth through vomiting and if not cleaned carefully, the risk of caries increases to very high levels.

Due to sleep problems that occur in the later stages of pregnancy, teeth grinding and associated joint disorders can occur. In this case, the night plaque made by the dentist relaxes the patient and prevents the pain.

The saliva becomes denser and its quantity decreases. This reduces the caries-preventive properties. During this time, extra care is needed when brushing teeth.

Since food is consumed more frequently during pregnancy, leaving food debris in the mouth for a longer time has a negative effect on oral health. Teeth brushing, which is normally done twice a day, should be done at least three times a day during this time.

It is of great importance for the baby and the expectant mother that expectant mothers visit the dentist for treatment before the beginning of pregnancy. It prevents the problems that can occur during pregnancy and makes for a more comfortable pregnancy in terms of oral health.

Three phases of pregnancy

First three-month phase:

The 0-3 months of pregnancy are the most sensitive period. No unnecessary procedures should be performed during this time. But in case of pain or emergency, you should definitely go to the dentist. The dentist, together with your obstetrician, will assess the most appropriate treatment for the mother-to-be and the baby and solve your problem in the most appropriate way.

Second three-month period:

This is the most appropriate period for dental treatment during pregnancy. Procedures such as extractions, root canals and fillings that cannot be postponed until the end of pregnancy can be done during this period.

Third three-month phase:

The period between 6-9 months is considered risky during pregnancy. If there is a need for treatment during this period, it should be evaluated whether the treatment can be postponed until after birth. In case of emergency, a decision is made together with the obstetrician and the treatment is carried out as safely as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any disadvantages to using anaesthesia for dental treatment during pregnancy?

On the contrary, it is dangerous if it is not performed. Performing painful procedures causes stress to both mother and child. However, attention should be paid to the choice of anaesthesia. In this context, it is important to follow the instructions of the anaesthesia manufacturer and to evaluate another anaesthesia option in case of a warning. In particular, anaesthetics containing octapressin should not be used. Octapressin can cause preterm labour by contracting the uterus.

Can antibiotics be taken during pregnancy?

Not all antibiotics can be taken. Your doctor will tell you which antibiotics you can take. While the use of antibiotics of the penicillin group does not cause any harm, antibiotics of the tetracycline group have been found to cause discolouration of the baby’s teeth.

Are X-rays harmful during pregnancy?

In dental X-rays, the radiation dose is low and far away from the baby. However, if it is not urgent, it should be postponed. X-rays are not recommended, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, as the baby’s organs are forming. If a situation cannot be postponed during pregnancy, the mother should wear a protective gown, rapid X-rays should be taken, low doses should be administered and repeat exposures should not be taken.

Does pregnancy cause tooth loss?

This is a common misconception among people. During pregnancy, calcium is not removed from the mother’s teeth. In case of calcium deficiency in the mother and the baby, calcium is taken from the mother’s bones and not from the teeth. During pregnancy, attention should be paid to a calcium-rich diet.

Why are my gums bleeding?

Light bleeding is hormonal and normal. Apart from that, “pregnancy gingivitis” is a common condition in pregnancy, as mentioned earlier. This may be the cause of your bleeding gums. In this case, you should go to the dentist. It is one of the biggest mistakes to stop brushing your teeth because they are bleeding.

Do untreated problems cause premature birth?

Yes, it is possible. If tooth and gum problems are not treated, the problem gets worse and can lead to premature birth or low birth weight birth. Tooth and gum disease has been found to increase the risk of a low birth weight birth sevenfold. Expectant mothers should pay special attention to oral and dental health during pregnancy.

Advice for expectant mothers

• If pregnancy is pre-planned, it is of great advantage for you to go for a dental check-up before pregnancy and have the necessary care done.
• Regular brushing and flossing should be continued.
• You can gargle with warm salt water. This relaxes the gums and reduces sensitivity.
• Unconscious medication should be avoided during this time.
• Deterioration of oral and dental health during pregnancy can have negative effects on the development of the infant. The necessary precautions should be taken.
• You should not brush your teeth immediately if you vomit. The mouth should be rinsed with plenty of water and you should wait for a while. Otherwise, the brushing process combined with the acidity of the vomit will cause abrasions on the teeth.
• Since the baby’s tooth development begins in the womb, care should be taken when choosing food. Meat, milk, eggs, yellow vegetables and fruits for vitamin A, meat, milk, eggs, fish for vitamin D, citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, milk and milk products for calcium, green leafy vegetables should be consumed in abundance.
• We recommend that you inform yourself in advance about your baby’s dental care and diet😊.

 

We wish you healthy days