How Does Pregnancy Affect Oral Health?
If the normally required dental care is shown a little more sensitivity during pregnancy, no problems will be encountered. The belief that the baby’s calcium needs are met from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy is completely false. If sufficient calcium cannot be obtained through food, the amount necessary for the baby’s development is met from the mother’s bones. It is not possible for calcium to dissolve from the teeth.
Pregnancy does not negatively affect the teeth, but bad and neglected teeth affect pregnancy. Namely, studies show that dental and gum diseases increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies by 3-4 times. For this reason, pregnant women should pay attention to their oral care and nutrition.
What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?
It is a fact that some changes will occur in oral health during pregnancy. The most important change is the increase in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels. This increase causes plaque accumulation on the teeth, and if the plaque is not removed, gingivitis (gum inflammation) occurs. This condition is called ‘pregnancy gingivitis’.
Pregnancy gingivitis usually starts in the 2nd month of pregnancy and reaches its peak in the 8th month. However, it affects the majority of pregnant women to varying degrees more in the 2nd trimester. The gums are red, increased in volume, sensitive, and bleeding. If gingivitis already exists, its severity may increase during pregnancy and may progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Pregnant women are also at risk of developing a ‘pregnancy tumor’. These are inflammatory lesions that occur as a result of irritation of gum growths. They are usually left alone, but if they cause discomfort to the patient or prevent chewing, brushing, and other oral care procedures, they should be removed by the dentist.
How can dental problems be prevented during pregnancy?
Gingivitis can be prevented by effective care and cleaning of the teeth. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, and if possible, after every meal. Cleaning should be done daily on all teeth with dental floss. Mouthwash should not be used unless recommended by the dentist. Along with a balanced diet, vitamin C and B12 supplements are also important for maintaining oral health. More frequent visits to the dentist prevent the development of gingivitis by ensuring effective plaque control. Achieving plaque control also reduces gum irritation and the risk of pregnancy tumors.
When should a dentist be visited?
A dentist should be visited if pregnancy is planned or if pregnancy is suspected. Cleaning is appropriate in the first trimester. The dentist will prepare a treatment schedule for the remainder of the pregnancy. In the second trimester, cleaning may be recommended again along with the evaluation of changes in oral tissues and the effectiveness of oral care. Depending on the situation, a follow-up appointment may be given in the third trimester, but all these sessions should be as short as possible.
Are there any procedures that should not be performed during pregnancy?
Dental treatment is not recommended in the first and last trimesters of pregnancy. Necessary interventions should be performed during the second trimester. Treatment is not performed in the first trimester because the baby’s organ development is ongoing; and in the last trimester, the necessary treatment positions may make the mother uncomfortable. The most appropriate time for any dental treatment is between the 4th and 6th months. In emergencies accompanied by severe pain, treatment can be performed at any stage of pregnancy. In cases requiring anesthesia and medication, the gynecologist should be contacted. Procedures that can be postponed should be left until after birth.
Is dental X-ray harmful during pregnancy?
Temporary relief of complaints due to dental problems during this period may be possible without X-rays, and the main treatment can be postponed until after birth. Taking X-rays to monitor the stages of dental treatment (root canal treatment, etc.) is not appropriate. If necessary, unsuccessful treatments should be repeated after birth.
The approach may be different in important conditions involving the mother’s general health. In cases where an X-ray is indispensable for diagnosis, although the amount of radiation given in dental X-rays is very low and not very close to the abdominal area, a lead apron must be used to prevent the developing baby from being exposed to radiation.
Do teeth decay faster during pregnancy?
As mentioned before, the belief that ‘calcium is drawn from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy, and therefore every baby causes the mother to lose a tooth’ is absolutely incorrect.
The disruption of balance in the body during pregnancy creates a suitable environment for teeth to decay quickly. The reasons why teeth decay faster during this period are as follows:
Excessive craving for sweets and junk food appears during the period when the baby is being fed, and tooth brushing is neglected after eating these. After vomiting seen in the first months, the mother may not pay enough attention to oral care. Due to the effect of pregnancy hormones (estrogen, progesterone), the gums of the mother, which bleed more easily, may avoid brushing their teeth.
Are there any precautions to be taken for the baby’s dental health during pregnancy?
Although signs of oral cavity formation in the womb are seen in the 3rd week, the first signs of tooth development occur in the 6th week. From the 7th week onwards, the buds of the teeth begin to appear week by week.
During pregnancy, the mother should pay attention to a balanced diet both for her own health and for the baby’s tooth development. For dental health, it is necessary to get enough foods rich in protein, vitamin A (meat, milk, eggs, yellow vegetables and fruits), vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries), vitamin D (meat, milk, eggs, fish), and calcium (milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables).
In addition, unconscious drug use should be avoided. The drugs used can negatively affect the general physical development of the baby as well as their dental health. Being knowledgeable about the baby’s dental health is the first step in ensuring that your child has healthy teeth for life.
Does using antibiotics during pregnancy affect the baby’s teeth?
We mentioned that unconscious drug use should be avoided during pregnancy. It should also be remembered that all kinds of drugs used during pregnancy should be used under the control of the doctor who follows the expectant mother. If antibiotics need to be used during this period, ‘tetracyclines’ should not be used. These group antibiotics cause irreversible color changes called ‘tetracycline staining’. The belief that every antibiotic causes staining on the baby’s teeth is wrong. There is no scientific data that other antibiotics, penicillin and its derivatives, cause staining.