Pregnancy and Gingivitis
Will pregnancy affect my oral
health?
Expectant mothers (and women
who take some oral
contraceptives) experience
elevated levels of the hormones
estrogen and progesterone. This
causes the gums to react
differently to the bacteria found in
plaque, and in many cases can
cause a condition known as "preg-
nancy gingivitis.» Symptoms
include swollen, red gums and
bleeding of the gums when you
brush. Remember that the bacteria
in plaque (not hormones) is what
causes gingivitis. Brush twice a
day and floss before you go to bed
to help avoid plaque buildup.
What are "pregnancy tumors?"
Pregnancy tumors (pyogenic
granuloma) are rare, usually
painless lesions that may develop
on your gums in response to
plaque. Although they are not
cancerous, they should be treated.
Pregnancy tumors usually subside
shortly after childbirth.
Could gingivitis affect my
baby's health?
New research suggests a link
between pre-term, low birth
weight babies and gingivitis.
Excessive bacteria, which causes
gingivitis, can enter the
bloodstream through your mouth
(gums). If this
it is best to have procedures
performed during the second
trimester to minimize any
potential risk.
Dental work is not
recommended during the third
trimester because the dental chair
tends to be too uncomfortable for
the mother. If you lie back, the
chair may cut off circulation by
placing pressure on the vein that
returns blood to the heart from the
lower part of your body.
If I do need treatment, what
drugs are safe?
Be extremely cautious of all drugs
during pregnancy.
If you have gingivitis or perio-
dontal disease, your dentist may
want to treat you more often to
achieve healthy gums and a healthy
baby.
Although dental anesthetics
such as novocaine or
lidocaine can enter the placenta,
which filters out most drugs, the
doses used in most dental
procedures are considered safe.
If you need to have dental
work done during your pregnancy,
research has shown that some
acceptable antibiotics include
penicillin, amoxicillin, and
clindamycin, but avoid
tetracycline, which can cause
discoloration ofyour child's
temporary and permanent teeth.
Products containing
acetaminophen, such as Tylenol,
are approved, but you should be
wary of other over-the-counter
medications such as aspirin or
ibuprofen. Avoid using narcotics
for dental pain until your child is
carried to term.
Who can I talk to?
If you have any concerns about
treatment or medications, make
sure to ask your dentist or
physician before receiving
treatment. Most dental
procedures are safe during
pregnancy.
Remember, the healthier
your mouth is, the healthier and
happier your pregnancy and baby
will be.
Sources: Pregnancytoday.com, Kimberly
A. Loos, DDS www.med.umich.edu
www.ada.org
www. Ihekidsdds. com/prena ta I. hIm
howthingswork.com/dental11.htm
happens, the bacteria can travel to
the uterus, triggering the
production of chemicals called
"prostaglandins”, which are
suspected to induce premature
labor.
Should I receive dental
treatment while I’m
pregnant?
Good oral health care is vital
during your pregnancy.
Continue with your regular dental
cleaning and checkups to avoid
oral infections that can affect the
fetus, such as gingivitis and
periodontal disease.
Dentists recommend that
major dental treatments that aren't
urgent be postponed until after
your child is born. The first
trimester, the stage of pregnancy in
which most of the baby's organs
are formed, is the most crucial to
your baby's development, so
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.
