Guest Author - Sarah Masterson
It’s easy to do so – neglecting your oral health during pregnancy – Especially with the downers of nausea and sensitive gums that can make brushing and flossing unappealing. But, little known fact: Taking extra care of your teeth and gums is crucial to having a healthy baby.
We spend the nine months of pregnancy fixated on our body in a comprehensive, holistic way. We obsess about healthy diet, exercise, rest, and quality medical care from our obstetrician or midwife. Yet, not realizing how crucial our oral health is to the developing fetus, most of us neglect our teeth and gums during pregnancy. And too often our prenatal health care provider neglects to cover the topic with us.
DID YOU KNOW...
… that the tissue in your mouth is equivalent to that on your arm, from elbow to wrist? That’s a lot of surface area! And especially since it’s the entry to the body, your mouth needs special care.
… that you should see your dentist before conceiving, to be sure your teeth and gums are healthy? If you have gum disease or if any significant dental work is needed, it is optimal to have it done before you are pregnant. Some studies suggest that dental work requiring anesthesia during the first trimester may pose risks to the developing fetus.
… that you should be sure to tell your hygienist and dentist that you are attempting to become pregnant / may be pregnant / are pregnant? It’s important to share this information, since x-rays should be avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
… badly decayed teeth or impacted wisdom teeth could pose a problem during pregnancy by creating an infection. If you are pregnant and you suspect that you have such a condition, it’s important to see a dentist without delay.
… that untreated gum disease/periodontal disease in pregnant women is associated with an increased risk of premature birth and the delivery of a low-birthweight baby? Women with periodontal disease are up to seven times more likely to give birth to a baby that is premature or of low birth weight. This is because when an infection is present anywhere in your body – including the mouth – the body attempts to fight it off. Byproducts and chemicals from this process may cross the placenta, affecting the fetus. The hormones that induce contractions may also be released during the infection-fighting process, triggering labor before the baby is fully developed. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and is the cause of many serious, lifelong health problems.
… that bleeding and/or tender gums during pregnancy is a quite common occurrence, due to both hormonal changes and increased blood volume? It doesn’t mean you should lay off the floss or lighten up on the brushing! To the contrary, it’s important to brush and floss regularly, despite the pink in the sink.
… that there’s such a thing as “pregnancy gingivitis,” which affects many pregnant women? Pregnancy gingivitis usually begins in the second or third month of pregnancy and will increase in severity until about the eighth month. It mimics gum disease and is caused by hormonal changes. You can experience this condition even if your teeth and gums were totally healthy prior to pregnancy! Having your teeth cleaned and examined regularly – at least every six months – IS safe and is important in the prenatal period. Don’t put off your normal cleaning appointments.
… that if you have gums that appear to have pulled away from the teeth and/or persistent bad breath during pregnancy, you should see your dentist? These may be signs of pregnancy gingivitis or pre-existing periodontal disease, and should be evaluated.
… that a power toothbrush can do a significantly better job cleaning your teeth and gums than a standard, manual toothbrush?
… that eating foods rich in Vitamin C can strengthen your gums?
… that brushing your tongue is important? It helps to reduce the plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth, which hardens and contributes to periodontal disease.
… your calcium requirements are enormous during pregnancy? It’s important to meet them, to help keep your own teeth and bones healthy while growing a baby!
If in doubt, don’t procrastinate about seeing the dentist. Your baby’s health depends on it.
