Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation and change. There are many obvious changes throughout a woman’s body during pregnancy, and some that are not. Pregnancy can cause some changes in your oral health if not monitored closely. The changes in hormone levels can aggravate the gum tissues and exaggerate the way they react to the bacteria in plaque.  The gum tissues usually become red and swollen and often bleed when brushing or flossing, this is called pregnancy gingivitis. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy and if left untreated can lead to a more serious form of gum disease.

Statistics have shown that only half of expecting mothers receive proper dental care. It is very important for women to have good dental hygiene and regular dental check-ups as part their prenatal care, to help prevent pregnancy gingivitis and tooth decay. The problem with gum disease or periodontal disease is that the infected tissues are toxic reservoirs for bacteria. The toxins released can attack the ligaments, gum tissue and destroy the bone surrounding your teeth causing pockets that allow bacteria into the bloodstream. Research has shown that women with gum disease are six times greater at risk for preterm or low birth weight babies.

There is a long standing myth that a woman looses a tooth for every child she has. Of course this is not the case, but circumstances and changes in the mouth may make it appear so. The myth goes on to claim the fetus draws calcium directly from the mother’s teeth and results in weakened teeth that decay or might be lost. In fact, the mother’s diet and nutritional supplements give the developing fetus all he or she needs to develop. Increased cavities are a result of increased snacking and poor oral hygiene.

There are many ways in which you can prevent these oral complications during your pregnancy, the first thing, consult with your physician and your dentist; they will be able to provide the best course of treatment and preventative care.

• Brushing 2-3 times a day after meals  whenever possible
•  flossing every day before bed to remove plaque build up
• If suffering from morning sickness, rinse your mouth frequently with water and/or brush your teeth as often as possible to neutralize the acid caused by vomiting. If tooth brushing causes morning sickness, brush without toothpaste and use a fluoride mouth rinse afterwards
• Eat healthy snacks and rinse with water afterwards
• Schedule routine cleanings and dental checkups

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and untreated dental disease can be harmful to you and your baby. Be sure to include your oral health in daily routine and keep your dentist informed of any changes in your health, oral health and the month of pregnancy you are in.