Teeth care (Pregnancy)

Is it safe to have dental work done during pregnancy?

Pregnancy and teeth care
When you are pregnant, it is important that you pay close attention to your teeth and gums. Hormones associated with pregnancy can exaggerate some dental problems.

Pregnant women often develop a common gum disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis, caused by plaque that remains on the teeth, irritates the gums making them red, swollen and likely to bleed easily when you brush your teeth.

During pregnancy, many women who have never experienced these symptoms may begin to develop these problems. This is called `pregnancy gingivitis.` Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause the gums to respond in an exaggerated way to plaque. It`s the plaque and not the hormones causing the irritation.

You can help prevent these problems by making sure to clean well along your gum line. Preventive, emergency and routine dental procedures are all suitable during pregnancy, with some modifications and planning. Make sure you let your dentist or dental hygentist know that you are pregnant. Oral health is an important part of maintaining good overall health. Moreover, recent research has shown that the oral health of the mother can affect the health of her baby. Some research suggests that serious gum disease, called periodontitis, is linked to premature birth and low-birth weight infants.

Steps for a Healthy Mouth

Brush thoroughly at least twice a day.
Floss at least once daily.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Drink optimally fluoridated water.
Schedule regular dental checkups throughout your pregnancy.
Talk with your dentist and let him or her know:
- if you have any changes in your oral health
- what medications you are on
- what month of pregnancy you are in
- if you are having a high-risk pregnancy

Dentist visits
If you are pregnant, you should schedule a dental check-up in your first trimester for a cleaning. Your dentist will assess your oral condition and map out a dental plan for the rest of your pregnancy.

A visit to the dentist is also recommended in the second trimester for a cleaning, to monitor changes and to gauge the effectiveness of your oral hygiene. Depending on the patient, another appointment may be scheduled early in the third trimester, but these appointments should be kept as brief as possible.

Non-emergency procedures generally can be performed throughout pregnancy, but the best time for any dental treatment is the fourth through sixth month.

Women with dental emergencies that create severe pain can be treated during any trimester, but your obstetrician should be consulted during emergencies that require anesthesia or when medication is being prescribed. Dental emergencies during pregnancy usually require X-rays to appropriately diagnose the dental emergency.

Lastly, elective procedures that can be postponed should be delayed until after the baby's birth.

pregnancy gingivitis
So-called `pregnancy gingivitis` affects most pregnant women to some degree, and generally occurs in the second trimester. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy.

Tooth brushing and morning sickness
If tooth brushing causes morning sickness, rinse your mouth with water or with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes.

Comments: Teeth care (Pregnancy)

Comments 1 to 5 of about 5.

DentalStudentParent - 1056 days ago.
I recently participated in a research project the worked with informing pregnant women on the importance of tooth care during pregnancy and its effect on yourself as well as the unborn child. We developed a commercial and information and have loaded it to a website: http://www.pregnancyandteeth.com Check it out and let me know what you think. I hope that it is informative and we hope to develop more commercials in the future.

CammyBella - 1098 days ago.
So, I learned not too long ago that a direct link between oral health and miscarriage was found. Im assuming that was my problem the first time. I have not pulled out my wisdom and my first pregnancy destroyed them. 2 miscarriages later, I am wndering if it is safe for me to either get them pulled out right away ( I am about 6 weeks along) or if I can take antibiotics to prevent bacteria to get into my system and harm the baby until my 4th month when its supposedly safer to have procedures.

Bek 30 - 1183 days ago.
I c only 2 ppl have written on here, but just incase... I know a lot of ppl who hate going to the dentist at the best of time, but being preegnant and going to the dentist is a lot scarier...anyway, I have a broken tooth and can not get into the dentist as of yet..anyway I went to the chemist and bought ORAL-EZE, it's basically the same stuff the dentist use before putting the needle in...works wonders, it has given me 12hrs free of pain, and I have just re-applied, I can even eat on that side.....just thought I would who ever has teeth pain know...

ms m - 1615 days ago.
Ouch... please help, do you know if I should bother ringing my dentist?? I am 33 weeks and have a really painful, sensitive tooth and I can't bite down on it. I think it is a tooth that I previously had a root canal on. I know the dentist will not be able to xray. Should I just put up with the pain or make an appt if he can even get me in b4 Christmas??

AmberS - 1638 days ago.
I am 28 weeks pregnant and I just broke part of my tooth today. I had 2 fillings put in it recently and I actually thought I had lost my filling and bit down on it. When I looked in the mirror, it was my tooth that was broken. I am freaking out because my dentist is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays and tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I want to get it fixed NOW!!!!! Can they give you pain meds. for that at the dentist?? Any suggestions on anything?? HELP!!