Pregnancy is nature’s gift to women in which not only a child is born but a woman is also born as a mother. Different types of changes occur within the body of female during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Moreover these changes can occur in mouth as well affecting Dental and Oral Health. There may be many pregnancy related dental and oral issues. Try to avoid various myths related to pregnancy and oral health.
Causes for Dental and Oral problems during Pregnancy
- Acidity
For most of the females first 3 months of pregnancy are like a roller coaster ride with morning sickness and moodswings. Vomiting and gagging in the morning is most common. Due to vomiting acidic content comes in mouth most of the times. Moreover females have cravings for sour diets. This leads to increased acidity in mouth (oral cavity). The increased acidity causes enamel erosion of teeth and increased Dental Sensitivity.
Due to morning sickness sometimes oral hygiene is ignored that increases the probability for development of dental and gum disease.
- Excessive sugar intake
During pregnancy, cravings for food leads to increased sugar intake. This adds on to increased vulnerability of teeth to sensitivity and cavities.
- Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase blood flow to gums and cause gums to be more sensitive, irritable and swollen. This condition is known as Pregnancy Gingivits. Due to bleeding gums females avoid tooth brushing. This further worsens the condition and leads to severe gum problems and loosened teeth.
- Increased Inflammatory Response of body
Mostly during third trimester body’s inflammatory response increases that leads to increased bacterial colony and plaque formation causing swelling and bleeding of gums
Tips on Dental and Oral Care during Pregnancy
- Brush your teeth twice daily. If tooth brushing causes gag early in the morning then brush your teeth later in the morning with small headed toothbrush atleast 30 minutes after vomiting or gagging.
- Rinse mouth with normal water every time after vomiting and gagging to clear away acid from mouth.
- Have nutritious diet. Its better to have fruits than juices. This will reduce the acid content and provide good fiber.
- Eat calcium rich food.
- Periodic dental check ups should be considered during pregnancy to avoid any complication but strictly under gynaecologist advise.Severe gum disease (Pregnancy gingivitis and periodontitis) during pregnancy can increase chance of preterm birth, development of early labour pain (pre eclampsia) and low weight baby.Mother’s oral flora is transmitted to newborn and increased caries causing bacteria in mother predispose the baby to development of caries.
- First and Last three months of Pregnancy are considered unsafe for Dental procedures but emergency cases can be taken into consideration under Gynaecologist advise.
- During first three months baby’s basic development takes place inside the womb so dental treatment and any X- ray exposure should be avoided.Moreover morning sickness and gag reflux may pose a problem during dental treatment.
- Second trimester is somewhat balanced stage where dental treatment can be carried out.
- Third trimester is again considered unsafe for extensive dental treatment as this may stimulate early labour labour pain.
There fore Dental treatments during pregnancy should be considered carefully and under the advise of gynaecologist. Risks should always be considered although Dental and Oral health should never be ignored. Any Dental issue during pregnancy should be well reported and better stay away from taboos. It is not necessary that all pregnant females have pregnancy related oral and dental issues.
