Oral and Dental Care in Pregnant Women

How does pregnancy affect oral health?

Calcium is lost from the mother's teeth during pregnancy and it is a misconception that the mother will lose one tooth with each pregnancy. However, it is a fact that there will be some changes in oral health during pregnancy. The most important change is the increase in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels, which is associated with increased plaque accumulation on the teeth.

If plaque is not removed, it causes gingivitis. This condition is called “pregnancy gingivitis”. The gingiva is red, increased in volume, tender and bleeding. This picture mostly affects the majority of pregnant women in the 2nd trimester with varying severity. If gingivitis is already present, it may increase in severity during pregnancy and progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Pregnant women are also at risk of developing a “pregnancy tumor”. These are inflammatory lesions that occur as a result of irritation of gingival enlargements. Although it is usually left to itself, it should be removed by the dentist if it causes discomfort to the patient or interferes with chewing, brushing and other oral care procedures.

How can these problems be avoided?

Gingivitis can be prevented by effective care and cleaning of the teeth. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, whenever possible, after each meal. Cleaning should be done with dental floss on all teeth every day. If brushing your teeth in the morning is uncomfortable, the mouth should be rinsed with water or anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes. Along with a balanced diet, vitamin C and B12 supplements are also important for maintaining oral health. Visiting the dentist more frequently also prevents the development of gingivtis by providing effective plaque control. Plaque control also reduces gingival irritation and the risk of pregnancy tumors.

When should you go to the dentist?

If pregnancy is planned or suspected, the dentist should be visited. Cleaning is appropriate in the first 3 months. The dentist will prepare a treatment schedule for the remainder of the pregnancy. Re-cleaning can be recommended in the second 3 months, together with the evaluation of the changes in the oral tissues and the effectiveness of oral care. Depending on the situation, re-appointments can be made in the third trimester, but all these sessions should be as short as possible.

Are there any procedures that should not be done during pregnancy?

Generally, non-urgent procedures can also be performed during pregnancy. However, the best time for any dental treatment is between the 4th and 6th months. In emergency situations accompanied by severe pain, treatment can be carried out at any time during pregnancy. In cases that require anesthesia and medication, a gynecologist should be contacted. Transactions that can be postponed should be left until after delivery.

Is dental X-ray harmful during pregnancy?

In this period, if it is very necessary for treatment, 1-2 films can be taken from the mouth. Although the amount of radiation given in the x-rays taken in dentistry is very small and not very close to the abdomen, it is absolutely necessary to use a lead apron to prevent the developing baby from receiving radiation. Moon filming should be avoided.

Do teeth rot faster during pregnancy?

As stated before, the belief that “calcium is withdrawn from the mother's teeth during pregnancy and therefore every baby will lose a tooth for the mother” is definitely not true. The deterioration of the balance in the body during pregnancy creates an environment suitable for the rapid decay of teeth. During this period, the causes of faster decay of teeth are as follows; During the feeding period, there is an excessive desire for sweets and snacks, and tooth brushing is neglected after they are eaten. After the vomiting in the first months, the mother may not pay enough attention to oral care. The mother, whose gums bleed more quickly due to the effect of pregnancy hormones (estrogen, progertron), avoids brushing her teeth. For these reasons, it is necessary to pay more attention to dental health during this period.

Are there any precautions to be taken for the baby's dental health?

Baby's teeth development begins in the womb. During this period, the mother should pay attention to a balanced diet for both her own health and the dental development of her baby. Protein for dental health, vitamin A (meat, milk, eggs, yellow vegetables and fruits), vitamin C (citrus, tomatoes, strawberries), vitamin D (meat, milk, eggs, fish) and calcium (milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables) ) rich foods should be taken enough. In addition, unconscious drug use should be avoided. The drugs used may adversely affect the baby's dental health as well as the general body development. Being knowledgeable about the baby's dental health is the first step for your child to have healthy teeth for life. Learn about baby's dental care and nutrition.

Will my “I took antibiotics while pregnant” baby's teeth affected?

We stated that unconscious medicine use should be avoided during this period. However, it is wrong to believe that every antibiotic used causes staining on the baby's teeth. The group of antibiotics that cause discoloration on the teeth are "tetracyclines". Antibiotics other than this have not been proven to cause coloration.