I am often asked by female patients questions about oral health care during pregnancy. Since this is a topic I hold very near and dear to my heart, I hope this post will help clarify some of those questions.
Yes, there may be some changes in your oral health during pregnancy. Much like the oh-so-many other lovely side effects of pregnancy, you can chalk these up to the good ol’ surge in hormones (namely, estrogen and progesterone). Your gums will likely have an exaggerated response to dental plaque, which is that sticky, yellow, or colorless bacterial film that forms around your teeth. This is what we normally aim to brush and floss away at home, and what a dental professional removes at regular cleaning intervals. You may have the same amount of dental plaque that builds up as in pre-pregnancy, but your gums will react more. This is what we call “pregnancy gingivitis,” which may show as red, swollen, sore gums that easily bleed. If you had gingivitis before pregnancy, the condition will likely worsen. If you had gum disease (periodontal disease) before pregnancy, the condition will also likely worsen. Research has shown that women with active gum disease during pregnancy may be at a higher risk for a pre-term birth and/or low baby birth weight.
On top of all this, pregnant women are also at risk for developing pregnancy tumors–inflammatory, non-cancerous growths that develop when swollen gums become irritated. Normally, the tumors are left alone and will usually shrink on their own after the baby’s birth, but if it’s really uncomfortable and interferes with your daily activities, we may recommend removing it.
So what can be done to to prevent all of this? If you are thinking about getting pregnant, you need to see your dentist to make sure that everything is healthy and treatment needs are addressed. If you are pregnant, you absolutely need to continue to see your dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Often times, we even recommend extra cleanings during pregnancy to help keep the gums healthy and comfortable. Non-emergency procedures generally can be performed throughout pregnancy, though during second trimester may be most comfortable for mamas-to-be. Emergency dental treatment to address severe pain or infection can be treated at any time, but we usually like to consult with your obstetrician if anesthetics or medications are to be used. And what about x-rays? The American Dental Association recommends avoiding routine or elective x-rays during pregnancy.
Questions? Feel free to contact us or book an appointment–we’re happy to help! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest oral health info. Here’s to happy, healthy pregnancies for everyone!
Cheers,
Dr. Tang
For more information:
http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/pregnancy2.html