Pregnancy can lead to
dental problems in some women, including gum disease and increased risk of
tooth decay. During pregnancy, your increased hormones can worsen your body’s
response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth).
Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth. The old wives’ tale that warns a woman to expect a lost tooth for every baby is false. If the mother’s intake of calcium is inadequate during pregnancy, her bones – not her teeth – will provide the calcium her growing baby needs. This calcium loss is quickly made up after breastfeeding is stopped. However, the demands of pregnancy can lead to particular dental problems in some women.
With proper hygiene at home and professional help from your dentist, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy.
Your dental health can
affect your baby.
Research has found a link
between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth
weight. Babies who are born prematurely may risk a range of health conditions
including cerebral palsy and problems with eyesight and hearing.
Estimates suggest that about 18 out of every 100 premature births may be triggered by periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection of the gums. Appropriate dental treatment for the expectant mother can reduce the risk of premature birth by more than 80 per cent, according to one study.
Pre-pregnancy dental health.
Estimates suggest that about 18 out of every 100 premature births may be triggered by periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection of the gums. Appropriate dental treatment for the expectant mother can reduce the risk of premature birth by more than 80 per cent, according to one study.
Pre-pregnancy dental health.
You are less likely to have
dental problems during pregnancy if you already have good oral hygiene habits.
Suggestions include:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss between your teeth.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
If you are planning on
getting pregnant, see your dentist. It is more convenient to have elective
procedures done before you conceive. If you require dental treatment during
pregnancy, non-urgent procedures are often performed after the first trimester.
Tell your dentist if you
are pregnant.
Pregnancy may affect your
dental care. For example, the dentist may put off taking x-rays until after the
birth of your baby. If dental x-rays are unavoidable, the dentist can take
precautions to ensure your baby’s safety. If your dental condition requires
general anaesthesia or drugs, talk to your dentist, doctor or obstetrician for
advice.
Causes of dental health problems.
Causes of dental health problems.
Common causes of dental
health problems during pregnancy can include:
- Gum problems
- Vomiting
- Cravings for sugary foods
- Retching while brushing teeth.
The hormones associated
with pregnancy can make some women susceptible to gum problems including:
Gingivitis (gum
inflammation) – this is more likely to occur during the second trimester.
Symptoms include swelling of the gums and bleeding, particularly during
brushing and flossing between teeth.
Undiagnosed or untreated
periodontal disease – pregnancy may worsen this chronic gum infection, which is
caused by untreated gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss. It can show up as
gum swellings, know as pregnancy epulis, which may or may not resolve once your
baby is born.
During pregnancy, the gum
problems that occur are not due to increased plaque, but a worse response to
plaque as a result of increased hormone levels.
Tell your dentist about any gum problems that you might have. Switch to a softer toothbrush and brush your teeth regularly, at least twice every day. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride (if you’re not already) to help strengthen your teeth against decay.
If you had gum problems during pregnancy, it is important to get your gums checked by a dentist after you have given birth. While most types of gum problems caused by pregnancy hormones resolve after birth, a small number of women may have developed a deeper level of gum disease that will need treatment to resolve.
Tell your dentist about any gum problems that you might have. Switch to a softer toothbrush and brush your teeth regularly, at least twice every day. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride (if you’re not already) to help strengthen your teeth against decay.
If you had gum problems during pregnancy, it is important to get your gums checked by a dentist after you have given birth. While most types of gum problems caused by pregnancy hormones resolve after birth, a small number of women may have developed a deeper level of gum disease that will need treatment to resolve.
Vomiting can damage teeth.
Pregnancy hormones soften
the ring of muscle that keeps food inside the stomach. Gastric reflux
(regurgitating food or drink) or the vomiting associated with morning sickness
can coat your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repeated reflux and vomiting can
damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay.
Suggestions include:
Suggestions include:
- Don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. While the teeth are covered in stomach acids, the vigorous action of the toothbrush may scratch the tooth enamel.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water.
- Follow up with a fluoridated mouthwash.
- If you don’t have a fluoridated mouthwash, put a dab of fluoridated toothpaste on your finger and smear it over your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Brush your teeth at least an hour after vomiting.
Some pregnant women find
that brushing their teeth, particularly the molars, provokes retching. However,
you risk tooth decay if you don’t brush regularly. Suggestions include:
- Use a brush with a small head, such as a brush made for toddlers.
- Take your time. Slow down your brushing action.
- It may help to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
- Try other distractions, such as listening to music.
- If the taste of the toothpaste seems to provoke your gag reflex, switch to another brand. Alternatively, brush your teeth with water and follow up with a fluoridated mouthwash. Go back to brushing with fluoridated toothpaste as soon as you can.
Some women experience
unusual food cravings (and food avoidance) while they are pregnant. A regular
desire for sugary snacks may increase your risk of tooth decay. Try to snack on
low-sugar foods instead. If nothing but sweetness will satisfy your craving,
try to sometimes choose healthier options such as fresh fruits. Rinse your
mouth with water or milk, or brush your teeth after having sugary snacks.
Increase your calcium
during pregnancy.
You need to increase your
daily amount of calcium during pregnancy. Sufficient calcium will protect your
bone mass and meet the nutritional needs of your developing baby. Good sources
of dietary calcium include low-fat versions of products such as:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yoghurt
- Calcium-fortified soymilk.
Vitamin D helps the body to
utilise calcium. Good sources include:
- Cheese
- Margarine
- Fatty fish, such as salmon
- Eggs.
Things to remember.
- The demands of pregnancy can lead to particular dental problems in some women.
- Estimates suggest that about 18 out of every 100 premature births may be triggered by periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection of the gums.
- You are less likely to have dental problems during pregnancy if you already have good oral hygiene habits.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au