The journey through pregnancy is unique for everyone and as the months pass by different women may experience it differently. Some common issues during this time can be swollen feet, not enjoying the foods you are used to, hair falling and tooth issues. Even though they can be very common you should not neglect them because they may worsen later on for both you and your unborn child. During your pregnancy, you must take proper care of your teeth and gums. Hormonal changes brought on during this period increase the chance of gum disease, which can have an impact on the health of the unborn child. In this blog post, we will do our best to assist you in keeping your teeth as healthy as possible and explain the risks that come with pregnancy, so you can be careful.
Your mouth, teeth, and gums make up your dental health, which is also commonly referred to as oral health and it plays a significant role in your general well-being and is also very important if you are pregnant.
Your chances of developing oral health issues during pregnancy may rise, and these issues may also impact the health of your unborn child. For example, research has shown a connection between early birth and gum disease. When compared to normal birth babies, premature ones experience more health issues during and after birth. Keep in mind to take good care of your teeth and gums during these 9 months to protect the health of yourself and the babies.
During the 9 months of pregnancy, a woman’s body will be impacted greatly including the teeth and gums. Furthermore, we will explain in greater detail the impact that your pregnancy has on you and your baby’s health.
Cavities are tiny, small spots that form on your teeth’s surface damaging the enamel layer. Dental cavities are more common in pregnant women. You can give your unborn child the bacteria that causes cavities, during pregnancy and after delivery, which may cause issues for them in the future.
When you have cavities, it’s crucial to get them filled and treated, but only with dental fillings without mercury. Dental amalgam, sometimes known as silver fillings, can lead to health problems for both you and your unborn child when they come in contact with cavities. An amalgam is a mixture of many materials, most often metals and chemicals. There is a lot of mercury in dental amalgam so they are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy.
If your body has a lot of mercury, it can be transferred to your unborn child through the placenta or breast milk. According to studies, women who are pregnant and have had mercury fillings may be more likely than those who have not to experience miscarriage, high blood pressure, and low birth weight kids. In addition, mercury can harm other organs such as the kidneys and brain of the unborn child.
Dental amalgam fillings are not recommended if you are breastfeeding a baby, want to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant. Ask your dentist for a composite resin filling made without mercury if you need to have a cavity treated. This kind of filling matches the colour of your teeth and it is created by combining a certain kind of plastic with glass powder. Composite resin fillings are safe for both you and your child since they don’t include metals like mercury. However, unless your dentist indicates that there is a problem with any existing dental amalgam fillings, they will not advise you to have them removed.
Gingivitis is known as gum inflammation which consists of redness and swelling of your gums. If left untreated this condition may get worse and become more dangerous. Hormones associated with pregnancy may raise your risk of gingivitis. This condition is very common and it affects 60- to 75 percent of pregnant women. Some of the most common signs of gingivitis are:
Pregnancy-related high levels of progesterone and oestrogen can momentarily disturb the tissues and bones that hold your teeth in place and as a result of this, your teeth can become loose. If left untreated gingivitis can result in periodontal disease which will damage the gums and teeth. If your teeth become loose the dentist might recommend pulling them out. This is why it is very important to treat your dental issues before they get worse and cause more damage to your overall health.
Many women may experience morning sickness also known as nausea and vomiting of pregnancy which often occurs in the first few months of pregnancy. The stomach acid that comes from the stomach can greatly affect the health of your teeth and the enamel layer.
We recommend our pregnant clients do routine checkups with the dentist to prevent any dental problems that can affect their health. However many people go to the dentist only when the symptoms are visible or causing discomfort. Some of the most common signs that indicate that you should visit the dentist can be:
We recommend you pay close attention to your oral issues during pregnancy because they might affect your child’s health greatly. To avoid any further complications, contact your dentist right away and schedule a visit.
We highly recommend our clients get regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy in order to prevent and minimise any problems for the mothers and babies.
As you may have heard, when it comes to medical conditions, prevention and early detection is key. Regular dental checkups allow the dentist to find and treat the issue at the right time before it develops more. Also, keep in mind to stick to your dental routine because regular cleanings and flossing will keep your gums and teeth healthy for a very long time.
Dental X-rays are a very important component of dental treatment because they can reveal what is wrong with your gums, teeth, and jaw. However, the amount of exposure to X-rays should be minimal for pregnant women and they shouldn’t be done very often. To safeguard you and your child, the dentist uses very low doses of radiation, and you are covered with protective measures. Make sure your dentist is aware that you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant before she recommends X-rays.
First of all the dentist should be aware that you are expecting or planning to have a child before they recommend or have a procedure done. In some cases, several procedures need to be postponed until after the baby is born, because they may pose a high risk for them. Some of the treatments that are safe to use while pregnant include:
Even though several dental treatments can be done when the patient is pregnant, sometimes the dentist recommends they wait until they are in the second trimester or even after they give birth. This is done to keep the mother and the baby healthy and to avoid any medical issues.
Here are some tips that can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy:
