Dental
Care During Pregnancy
Below:
Why
is good oral health important during pregnancy?
Along
with a healthy diet and folic acid supplements, looking after your
teeth and gums should be a routine part of preparing for a healthy
pregnancy. Poor oral health, can affect your general health and that
of your baby. A recent US study (May 2000) linked gum disease with
a seven-fold increase risk of premature delivery.
Smoking during pregnancy can worsen gum disease and further increase
the risk of your baby being born prematurely or having a low birth weight.
Prevention is better than cure so if you are planning to become pregnant,
or have just found out that you are pregnant, make an early visit to
your dentist a top priority. During this visit, your dentist will:
- Give
you a simple oral health routine to follow through your pregnancy.
- Show
you how to clean your teeth and gums.
- Discuss
any urgent treatment you may require.
Book follow-up checks while you are there and contact your dentist
with any dental concerns you may have in the meantime.
Will
my teeth benefit from a calcium supplement during pregnancy?
A
balanced, nutritious diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables will
provide the minerals and vitamins for good oral health and the normal
development of your baby’s teeth, which begin to form six weeks
after conception.
The most important vitamins and minerals for good oral health are: vitamins
A, C, and D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, protein. A healthy, balanced
diet throughout your pregnancy should provide all your requirements.
There is no need to take calcium supplements during pregnancy.
- Dairy
products, as part of a normal healthy diet will provide all the
calcium you need for your baby’s developing teeth and bones.
- Your
teeth will not be affected if there is a shortage of calcium in
your diet; your body will supply any shortfall from reserve supplies
in your bones.
- Drink
plenty of water and avoid soft drinks as much as possible.
Is
it true that morning sickness can damage my teeth?
Morning
sickness, which is a common experience for many women in the early
months of pregnancy, causes tooth erosion. This causes the removal
of the top layer of enamel (white hard surface on the outside of the
tooth).
Eating dry crackers or toast first thing in the morning and eating 4
or 5 smaller meals throughout the day can help keep nausea at bay.
If you do vomit:
- Rinse
out your mouth afterwards with water, a fluoride mouth rinse or
a rinse of sodium bicarbonate (Baking Soda). This will neutralise
the damaging effects of stomach acids on your teeth: tooth erosion,
sensitivity and decay.
- Do
not brush your teeth after vomiting, as weakened enamel will be
brushed away.
If
snacking to ease nausea:
- Snack
on healthy foods like fruit, yoghurt, crackers or a sandwich.
- Place
a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste on the teeth or rinse with
a fluoride mouthwash after snacking.
My
gums bleed easily when brushing – is this normal?
During
pregnancy, your gums become slightly swollen, red and tender. They
may bleed easily when brushed. This is due to hormonal changes, which
cause the blood vessels in your gums to become enlarged and more
reactive to the toxins produced by plaque bacteria.
Occasionally, especially if you are a smoker, the swelling and tenderness
may get worse at particular sites in the mouth where your cleaning is
inadequate.
Outgrowths of red gum tissue, with a mulberry like appearance, may occur
at sites between the teeth. These are called pregnancy tumours and are
caused by plaque bacteria. Although they bleed easily, they are usually
harmless and most shrink following childbirth. Any remnants can be easily
removed by your dentist after childbirth.
To avoid unwanted swelling and infection in your gums, brush your teeth
and gums gently and carefully and floss daily.
Is
it safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy?
If
you need any essential dental treatment, the best time for this is
during the second trimester, between the fourth and sixth month. Non-emergency
dental treatment is usually avoided during the first three months of
pregnancy, while the baby’s organs are developing and during
the final three months when excess stress may induce premature labour.
However, if you are having dental problems during the first or last trimester,
visit your dentist for advice. Any dental treatment or medication that
you need can be arranged safely by your dentist with the assistance of
your doctor.
Is
dental treatment free during pregnancy?
Dental
treatment is still not free for pregnant women in this country unless
you hold a medical card. If you are entitled to Dental Treatment Benefit
with your PRSI you may avail of a free dental examination and cleaning
free of charge. Charges apply for other treatments. The cost of having
a private dental check-up can vary from 60 to 120 Euro.
Sources
1. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long –Term Care
2. American Dental Association
3. American Academy of Periodontology |