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Copyright © 2004
James
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Pregnancy
is an exciting time for the development of a new life. It’s important
to take good care of yourself, and that includes your oral health.
The following topics are discussed on this page:
-
A proper diet is
important for the health of your mouth and for providing nutrients
for your growing baby.
-
Pregnancy is a time
when female hormones are at higher levels. As a result, about half
of pregnant women experience
gingivitis, a response
of gum tissues to plaque.
-
It’s important
to be checked for periodontal disease. Recent research shows that women
who have
periodontal disease may be up to 8 times
more likely to have a premature delivery, but that risk may be significantly
reduced by following the dentist’s prescribed treatment
to combat the disease.
-
Morning sickness
can affect your oral health, causing decay of your teeth.
-
Additionally,
several reasons why you should maintain your regular visits
to your dentist’s office are given.
Tooth Decay during Pregnancy
Some patients believe
that they have more dental caries (tooth decay or cavities) during
and because of pregnancy. This is not a true direct
relationship. However, there is an indirect relationship between
more caries and pregnancy. Important factors that contribute to higher
occurrence of caries include the following:
-
previous neglect
of oral hygiene, which may show up during pregnancy,
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improper diet
and
-
neglect of oral care
during pregnancy.
Diet
A proper diet is important during pregnancy for protecting and promoting
health of the oral tissues of the mother, for maintaining daily strength
and for providing the essential building materials for the developing
fetus.
The intake of sufficient quantities of proteins, minerals and vitamins
are especially important for adequate fetal growth and development of
tissues, which include bones and teeth.
Hormones
During pregnancy there is a rise in the level of female hormones,
namely prostaglandins. This increase in hormone level leads to an increase
in bacterial plaque, and gives rise to gingivitis, an exaggerated response
of the tissues to the bacterial plaque. This is normally observed in
the form of swelling, bleeding gums, tender gums and redness. About
50% of pregnant women experience gingivitis. Bacterial plaque, a clear,
sticky substance that adheres to the surface of the teeth, is the cause
of this irritation. To combat the increased plaque, regular cleanings
and meticulous homecare is very important to maintain during pregnancy.
Periodontitis and Pregnancy
Researchers have
recently shown that the presence of periodontitis during pregnancy
may be associated with the risk of preterm, low weight deliveries.
Women with periodontitis may be 3-8 times more likely to deliver
a baby born too early, too small. The risks are higher when the
disease
progresses
to more advanced states. Periodontal disease (of which gingivitis
is the mildest form) is an infection of the tissues and bones
that support
the teeth. As the tissues are damaged, pockets form between
the teeth and the tissue, where bacteria are trapped, releasing
toxins and enzymes.
This process leads to additional tissue and bone damage
with the formation of larger pockets for further bacterial infection.
During periodontitis
there is progressive loss of tissue attachment to the teeth
and bone loss.
Scientists have suggested two probable ways that periodontal disease
may cause preterm births: in the first model bacteria are directly
introduced into the blood stream and pass into the amniotic sac causing
premature contractions; in the second model biochemicals are released
by the body during the inflammatory response to periodontal infection,
which induce early labor. There is some evidence for each model, though
research continues in this area.
It
is important to visit your dentist for a check of your
gums during pregnancy.
The dentist or hygienist uses a probe to measure the
pocket depth of your gums to determine the level of gum tissue detachment.
If you are diagnosed with periodontitis, there are several
treatment
options, the first step usually involves a special type
of “deep” cleaning,
called scaling and root planing. This process removes
tartar deposits on the tooth and root surfaces, and then smooths
the tooth
surfaces
to reduce the likelihood of additional deposits forming.
The good news that researchers have demonstrated is that treatment
involving
scaling
and root planing may reduce the risk of preterm births
by over
80%.
Click to read more about periodontal disease Morning Sickness
Nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy result in acids in the mouth which are not neutralized.
This can lead to demineralization and acid erosion
of the surfaces of the teeth. To combat this effect, do the following:
-
Use a sodium
bicarbonate rinse after vomiting, which will neutralize the acid
on the teeth’s surfaces. [Recipe: To make a sodium bicarbonate
rinse, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda to a glass of water
and stir to dissolve. Swish several portions in your mouth.]
-
Also, try to eat
frequent, small amounts of food throughout the day to reduce nausea.
Remember to chose nutritious, non-cavity causing
foods, such as fruit, real 100% fruit juices (limit to 1 or 2 daily), whole-grain
crackers and cereals, and plenty of raw vegetables. Avoid simple
sugar foods, such as candies, pop, chips and an abundance of pastas.
-
Brush frequently.
Uninterrupted
Dental Visits
Why should you continue your regular visits to your dentist during
pregnancy? Not only is the health of your teeth and gums at stake,
but the health of your baby may also be affected. The following
are reasons why you should continue the recommended visits to our
office:
-
For the detection and restoration of tooth decay. During
your dental examinations the doctor will be able to detect any
tooth decay and arrange an appointment for the restoration of
your tooth.
As described above, tooth decay is often found more frequently
during pregnancy.
-
To detect
and combat gingivitis. The doctor’s
examination also reveals the presence of gingivitis,
which is a common problem
during pregnancy. During your professional cleaning,
your hygienist will remove plaque from the surfaces of your
teeth and
give you
instructions and encouragement that will help you
better care for your teeth in
your home. In some cases the doctor may recommend
more frequent cleanings than the normal interval.
-
For the detection of periodontitis.
Your dentist is able
to detect periodontal disease by using a probe to measure
the depth of pockets between your teeth and gums. Researchers
recommend that
all women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming
pregnant be evaluated for the presence of periodontal disease.
Treatment
with scaling and root planing, ideally before pregnancy
or during
the
second trimester, may reduce the risk of premature delivery
by over
80%.
Be sure to inform your doctor or hygienist if you know or suspect
that you may be pregnant.
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