Dental Health In Pregnancy
What changes occur in the mouth during pregnancy?
The sudden increase in hormone levels increases the tendency to gingivitis. If the plaque accumulated on the teeth and gums is not cleaned sufficiently, gingivitis (swelling, bleeding, redness of the gums) tumor can easily develop. Pregnant women with severe gum conditions that were not treated before pregnancy are at risk of having a premature or low-birth-weight baby. For this reason, it is important to have a good oral hygiene routine before pregnancy and to have gingival treatments done.
Vomiting, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, can create an acidic environment in the mouth and cause tooth erosion, sensitivity and caries. In particular, brushing the teeth immediately after vomiting can increase the wear on the tooth surface. Therefore, after vomiting, the mouth should be rinsed with plenty of water and the teeth should be brushed after half an hour.
During pregnancy, saliva may show more acidic properties, making teeth more prone to decay. Since the formation of new caries can be prevented with proper oral care, it is important that the mother-to-be has regular oral care before pregnancy.
The expectant mother who has bleeding gums and sensitivity problems in her teeth can avoid brushing her teeth. In cases where oral hygiene is not provided adequately, gum diseases and caries may develop.
Changing dietary habits and frequent consumption of caries-causing foods (frequent snacks and increased consumption of sweet foods, such as dried fruit) increase the risk of tooth decay.
Why Should I See a Dentist Before Pregnancy?
Infections in and around the mouth during pregnancy may lead to premature birth and/or the baby to be born with low birth weight and complicate the pregnancy process. For this reason, it is very important for expectant mothers who are planning a pregnancy to undergo a dental check-up and have the necessary treatments. In this way, you can have a problem-free and stress-free pregnancy period in terms of dental health.
What Will Be Done During Pre-pregnancy Dentist Examination?
In addition to the clinical examination, a radiographic examination is necessary so that both your dental and gingival health can be controlled. For this purpose, panoramic x-rays and, in some cases, periapical x-rays should be taken.
If there are cavities on the teeth, they should be treated.
The current status of previous treatments should be evaluated and it should be determined whether there is a root canal treatment or filling that needs to be renewed.
Since it is much more important to maintain oral hygiene during pregnancy, if the expectant mother has prostheses (fixed roots or removable prostheses), the conditions that prevent the harmony and hygiene in the mouth should be determined. Prostheses should be renewed when necessary.
Existing gum diseases should also be treated due to the response of the gums to the plaque accumulated in the mouth during pregnancy, when hormonal changes are experienced, and the increase in the incidence of gum diseases.
You should get detailed information from your dentist about what kind of oral care should be applied, especially during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, dental treatments are generally not performed except for emergencies. However, it is important to carry out routine checks every three months as it will enable early detection of developing problems. For this reason, after completing your pre-pregnancy check-ups, appointments for routine check-ups that will continue during pregnancy should be arranged.
Should I go to the dentist during my pregnancy?
In order to avoid problems that may occur due to changes in the mouth during pregnancy, you should go through a dentist check every three months during your pregnancy.
Can I have dental treatments during my pregnancy?
Treatments can be decided according to the degree of difficulty of the treatment and by discussing with the physician who monitors your pregnancy at every stage of pregnancy. However, usually between the 3rd and 6th months of your pregnancy, your dental treatments and tartar cleaning can be done. In the first and last trimester of pregnancy, only emergency treatments should be planned with the physician who is following your pregnancy.
Are teeth lost in every pregnancy?
The idea that teeth are lost in every pregnancy is a false belief. There is no scientific basis for the statement that the baby takes the necessary calcium from the mother’s teeth and causes the mother’s teeth to decay. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may change the susceptibility to gingival diseases, or new caries may occur due to vomiting and lack of care. However, tooth loss is not possible in pregnancies where oral care is good and physician controls are made regularly.
Should I brush my teeth immediately after vomiting?
The surfaces of the teeth that come into contact with stomach acids during vomiting lose their resistance to abrasion. Brushing teeth immediately after vomiting increases wear. For this reason, teeth should not be brushed after vomiting, but the mouth should be rinsed with water immediately. Teeth can be brushed half an hour after vomiting.
What is a pregnancy tumor?
These are gingival growths that develop due to hormonal changes and irritation. It can be taken if it interferes with the feeding and oral care of the expectant mother or if it causes discomfort, but it usually goes away on its own after pregnancy.
How can oral problems be prevented during pregnancy?
Regular oral care is very important to prevent gum problems and dental caries that may occur during pregnancy. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. In cases where snacks increase, especially when caries-causing foods are used frequently, the number of brushing can be increased. It is beneficial to carry out interface care every day (use of interface brush and dental floss) and to support the care with mouthwashes. In addition to the care you do during pregnancy, dental scaling and controls by the dentist will also prevent you from having problems during this period.
Nutrition during pregnancy is very important for the general health and oral and dental health of both the mother and the baby. During pregnancy, the baby’s tooth development begins at the 5th and 6th weeks.
In terms of oral and dental health, during the whole pregnancy period: A, C, D vitamins, fruits and vegetables rich in phosphorus and calcium, cereal, milk and dairy products, meat, fish and eggs should be taken in a balanced way. If adequate oral and dental care is provided along with a good diet, a different tooth and gum problem will not be encountered during pregnancy.
Therefore, daily oral and dental care should not be interrupted. Because there is a direct relationship between plaque accumulation, gum disease and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The increase in hormones during pregnancy causes the oral mucosa to be sensitive to external factors, especially bacterial plaques.