Pregnancy and Oral Health
How does pregnancy affect my
oral health?
It's a myth that calcium is lost from
the mother's teeth and "one tooth is
lost with every pregnancy." But
you may experience some changes
in your oral health during preg-
nancy. The primary change is a
surge in hormones-particularly an
increase in estrogen and
progesterone which is linked to an
increase in the amount of plaque
on your teeth.
How does a build-up of plaque
affect me?
If the plaque isn't removed, it can
cause gingivitis--red, swollen,
tender gums that are more likely
to bleed. So-ca1led "pregnancy
gingivitis" affects most pregnant
women to some degree, and
generally begins to surface in the
second trimester. If you already
have gingivitis, the condition is
likely to worsen during
pregnancy. If untreated, gingivitis
can lead to periodontal disease, a
more serious form of gum
disease.
Pregnant women are also at
risk for developing pregnancy
tumors, inflammatory, benign
growths that develop when
swollen gums become irritated.
Normally, the tumors are left alone
and will usually shrink on their
own. But if a tumor is
uncomfortable and interferes with
chewing, brushing or other oral
hygiene procedures, the dentist
may decide to remove it.
How can I prevent
these problems?
You can prevent
gingivitis by keeping
your teeth clean,
especially near the gum
line. You should brush
with fluoride toothpaste
at least twice a day and
after each meal when
possible. You should
also floss thoroughly
each day. If tooth-
brushing causes
morning sickness,
rinse your mouth
with water or with
anti-plaque and fluoride
mouthwashes. Good
nutritionparticularly
plenty of vitamin C and
B 12-help keep the
oral cavity healthy
and Strong. More
frequent cleanings
from the dentist will help control
plaque and prevent gingivitis.
Controlling plaque also will
reduce gum irritation and
decrease the likelihood of
pregnancy tumors.
When should I see my dentist?
If you're planning to become
pregnant or suspect you're
pregnant, you should see a dentist
right away. Otherwise, you
should schedule a check-up in
your first trimester for a cleaning.
Your dentist will assess your
oral condition and map out a dental
plan for the rest of your pregnancy.
A visit to the dentist also is recom-
mended in the second trimester for
a cleaning, to monitor changes and
to gauge the effectiveness of your
oral hygiene. Depending on the
patient, another appointment may
be scheduled early in the third
trimester, but these appointments
should be kept as brief as possible.
Are there any procedures I
should avoid?
Non-emergency procedures
generally can be performed
throughout pregnancy, but
the best time for any dental
treatment is the fourth
through six month. Women
with dental emergencies that
create severe pain can be
treated during any trimester,
but your obstetrician should
be consulted during emer-
gencies that require anes-
thesia or when medication is
being prescribed. Only X-
rays that are needed for
emergencies should be taken
during pregnancy. Lastly,
elective procedures that can
be postponed should be
delayed until after the baby's
birth.
Sources: Barbara j. Steinberg, 005,
Professor of Medicine
and Surgery, Allegheny University of the
Health Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.; "The
Pregnant
Dental
Patient,"
Northwest
Dentistry;
SeptemberOctober,
1996;
"Alteration in Female Sex Hormones: Their
Effect on Oral Tissues and Dental
Treatment," Compendium of Continuing
Education, Vol. XI~ No. 12.; Periodontal
Care Report, Dental Products Report, April
1996; "Pregnancy and Oral Health," the
American Dental Association.
This information was compiled for General Dentistry. Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by
belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry. As one of the 35,000 general dentists in the United Sates and Canada who are member of the Academy, your dentists
participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient
treatment. Visit the AGD’s website at www.agd.org. You have permission to photocopy this page and distribute it to your patients.
