Happy Mommy to be, pregnancy always becomes a great adventure! So many things are needed to be prepared since the beginning, including keeping your teeth and mouth healthy in order to ensure the pregnancy goes smoothly.
Here is some information about things you should know before, during, and after your precious journey. Find the solution and live pregnancy without interferences.
BEFORE PREGNANCY
Try to make a dental appointment before getting pregnant. That way, your teeth can be professionally cleaned, gum tissue can be carefully examined, and any oral health problems can be treated in advance of your pregnancy.
DURING PREGNANCY
Few dental and oral problems are sometimes experienced by pregnant women. But do not worry; there are always solutions for them.
1. Swollen and bleeding gums
Food debris that contained bacteria is a major factor of gum inflammation (gingivitis).
In pregnancy, it is exacerbated by an increase in the progesterone and estrogen hormones. The danger is that the bacteria induce the release of prostaglandin hormone that stimulates uterine contractions. The risk is miscarriage or premature birth
with low birth weight baby.
Solution: Always brush your teeth at least 2x/day even when you are experiencing ‘morning sickness’. Keep using dental floss if possible. Rinse your mouth out with
water or a mouth rinse if you suffer from morning sickness and have bouts of frequent vomiting. Don't skip your dental checkup appointment simply because you are pregnant. Professional teeth cleaning by dentist can help preventing gingivitis. However, it is best done during the second trimester of pregnancy.
2. Frequent Oral Thrush
Oral thrush can be caused by hormonal changes and the decrease of endurance.
Solution: In addition to consuming fruits, vegetables, and special vitamin supplements for pregnancy, make sure that the daily food intake is nutritious. Visit your dentist to
find out if there is any a sharp edge of tooth or filling. In addition, be careful when brushing your teeth.
Tips: Eating a healthy-balanced diet is also important for the development
of your baby’s teeeth. Your baby's first teeth begin to develop about three
months into pregnancy. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese,
and yogurt are a good source of these essential minerals and are good for
baby's developing teeth, gums, and bones.
3. Dry and cracked lips and bad breath
Dry mouth is common in pregnant women. This leads to the accumulation of food residue and bacteria on the teeth and tongue that cause bad breath.
Solution: Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily, brush your tongue, use mouthwash and sugar-free chewing gum to stimulate saliva production.
4. Tooth decay
It is not specificaly caused by pregnancy, but usually occurs when previously existing cavities have not been treated before. But it may also occur due to frequent sweet cravings, frequent vomiting that causes acidic conditions of the mouth, and often skipping the routine of brushing teeth due to‘morning sickness’.
Solution: Check your teeth when planning a pregnancy. Make sure all cavities are filled and treated before pregnancy. But if you happen to be pregnant, it never hurts to check your teeth with the dentist before any symptom arises. Existing cavities can be filled with temporary filling to prevent it grows larger. Also keep in mind that the more frequently you snack, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay.
5. Toothache caused by decay
Cavities that are not treated will increase in size over time. When it reaches the nerve, it becomes painful. Or if the tooth has died, germs in the teeth can produce pus beneath the roots, which also causes pain and loose tooth. Toothache is dangerous
for pregnant women because it is also felt by the fetus; the fetus will be restless and often kick. Besides, pain can trigger uterine contractions.
Solution: To relieve dental pain, root canal treatment is usually needed. But considering the delicate condition of pregnant women, most of the times the dentist will only do emergency treatment to relieve pain, and further treatment was delayed until after delivery. Pregnant women will be given the drugs that are safe to take in these special conditions.
6. Toothache due to wisdom teeth impaction
It is also not caused by pregnancy, but may occur in pregnant women when the impacted (growing not in position) wisdom teeth (third molars) are not removed.
Solution: Before planning a pregnancy, wisdom teeth that could potentially cause pain should be removed first. But when you are already pregnant, do just take painkill
ers (and possibly antibiotics and mouthwash) that is safe for pregnancy. Removal of the wisdom teeth and tooth extraction should only be done after delivery.
AFTER PREGNANCY
The moments after delivery may be the busiest period of your life. However do not neglect to resolve dental problems that are delayed during pregnancy:
- If you experienced any gum problems during your pregnancy, see your dentist soon after delivery to have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated.
- If you are still having tooth decays that have not been treated yet, please visit your dentist. Because some studies have shown that the bacteria responsible for tooth decay are passed from the mother to the child through kissing. So keep being careful with your oral hygiene.
- If you had a temporary filling during pregnancy, see your dentist soon to get a permanent filling before it fails. If you experienced any toothache during pregnancy, it is the right time to completely resolve the problems, either by having a root canal treatment or by having an extraction for a hopeless tooth or an impacted wisdom tooth.
Dos:
- Informing your dentist about your pregnancy.
- Having regular dental check-up before-during-after pregnancy
- Keeping a good dental home care: brushing 2x daily, flossing.
- Eating safely and balance.
- Consuming dairy products that’s good for the development of your baby’s teeth.
- Drinking plenty of water.
Don’ts:
- Having x-rays.
- Having tooth extraction, unless it is very necessary.
- Taking drugs without doctor’s prescription.
- Removing or having amalgam fillings.
- Frequent sugary snacks.
If you really need dental treatment, it is safer to do it during the 2nd trimester.
Elective tooth treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, however, should be postponed until after birth.
A new baby is like the beginning of all things, hope, a dream of possibilites.
Give yours a healthy start