When you’re pregnant, it appears everyone has suggestions for you. People inform you what to eat, how to prevent morning illness, how to keep stretch marks at bay.
It’s likely, however, that nobody has ever told you how important it is to take care of your teeth and gums.
What Causes Teeth and Gums Diseases During Pregnancy?
In fact, some individuals still believe that the state of your mouth will decline during pregnancy and that there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. The saying goes something like, “You lose a tooth for each baby.”
These beliefs run out date. It’s true that the hormone changes of pregnancy can lead to “pregnancy gingivitis.” This produces swelling, bleeding or tenderness in the gums.
However you aren’t destined have dental problems when you’re pregnant. Keeping your mouth healthy before and during your pregnancy will enhance your opportunities of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. And if you have a healthy mouth, it’s most likely that your baby will too.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay (what dentists call “dental caries”) are the two most typical illness of the mouth. They are both bacterial infections. Having either one, or both, can impact your pregnancy or the health of your baby.
Pregnant women with periodontal (gum) disease might be at a greater risk of issues such as early delivery or low birth weight babies. And the children of women with current tooth decay, or a great deal of decay in the past, are most likely to get cavities prior to the age of 5.
Periodontal Disease While Pregnant
About 12% of babies are born early (too soon) in the United States. That’s up from 10% in 1985. The number of premature births had actually been increasing progressively for the last twenty years, however decreased somewhat in 2007 and 2008.
Some women have a higher risk of giving birth early than others. They consist of:
- Women with a history of premature birth
- Women carrying more than one fetus (twins, triplets, and so on).
- Women with particular irregularities of the uterus or cervix.
But the answers aren’t clear as to why lots of other babies are born prematurely.
In 1996, a research study discovered that women who gave birth prior to the 37th week of pregnancy had the tendency to have advanced gum (gum) disease. The same held true of women who had babies weighing less than 2,500 grams. That’s about 5.5 pounds.
Women with severe gum disease were found to have seven times the risk of giving birth early as women who had healthy gums. They likewise had 7 times the risk of having a baby with a low birth weight.
The scientists determined that innovative periodontal disease might be linked to about 18% of premature births in the United States.
Since then, a number of other studies have actually discovered that pregnant women with gum disease are more likely than other women to:
- Give birth early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy).
- Have babies with a low birth weight.
The research studies consisted of women with both severe and mild periodontal disease. However, other research has not found a link between gum disease and these birth outcomes.
Is it possible that periodontal disease can result in premature births? Research is still teasing out the answers. However, it appears that the body’s effort to eliminate the bacteria that cause gum disease may induce early labor.
Just a few research studies have actually looked at what takes place if pregnant women get treated for gum disease. A common treatment is scaling and root planing, which includes a thorough cleansing of the roots of the teeth. Some studies have actually found that this treatment can reduce the risk of preterm birth. Other research studies have actually not shown such an effect.
The research studies have shown that periodontal treatment provided during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is safe for both the mother and the coming baby. What may be most effective is treatment of gum disease prior to pregnancy.
Gum disease also may add to preeclampsia. This is an inadequately understood condition that sharply increases blood pressure. Preeclampsia affects about 5% of pregnant women. It can be hazardous. The only cure is giving birth. This can put the baby at risk if delivery is premature. For the mother, complications can include stroke, kidney failure and hemorrhage.
Up until now, a few studies have linked preeclampsia with periodontal disease. More research is needed to find whether there is a cause-effect relationship.
Dental Caries
Tooth decay is a bacterial infection. Infants aren’t born with the bacteria that cause decay. The majority of get these bacteria from their moms before their third birthday.
Common methods to send these bacteria are:
- Kissing.
- Sharing utensils.
- Wiping a pacifier with your mouth.
- A baby putting his/her hand in your mouth.
If you are pregnant and have cavities, you can minimize your child’s risk of establishing early dental caries by enhancing your very own oral health. This can significantly reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth and minimize the opportunity that you will spread them to your child.
Here are some essential actions you can take:
- See a dentist for treatment of all unattended cavities.
- Brush and floss daily.
- Use items, such as chewing gum and mints, that contain xylitol.
Moms with active tooth decay will have more decay-causing bacteria. For that reason, their children are most likely to acquire them early in life. They are likewise most likely to get dental caries.
Research has revealed that pregnant women and brand-new moms who use products that contain xylitol can decrease the number of decay-causing bacteria in their mouths. You need to use the products every day for months for them to work. Xylitol-sweetened foods, candies and tooth paste can be found in health food stores and online shops.
Before You Become Pregnant
If you plan to get pregnant, visit your dentist for an examination. This way, you can receive any required treatment prior to you become pregnant.
A dental visit prior to pregnancy will decrease your risk of having a dental emergency situation during pregnancy. While you’re in the office, you can arrange dental sees during your pregnancy.
Visiting the Dentist During Pregnancy
Numerous women stay away from the dentist during pregnancy. They think that particular elements of treatment may harm the fetus. But dental care during pregnancy is a fundamental part of keeping you, and your baby, healthy. Having a healthy mouth during pregnancy might minimize the risk of providing a premature or low birth weight baby.
Hormonal modifications that happen during pregnancy increase the possibility of developing “pregnancy gingivitis” and gum disease. During pregnancy, the immune system is compromised. For that reason, it can’t secure the body from the bacteria that cause gum disease. Cleaning up the tooth surfaces often assists to alleviate the symptoms of “pregnancy gingivitis” and improves total oral health.
Often periodontal treatment such as scaling and root planing is essential during pregnancy. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends scheduling it early in the second trimester.
It is usually agreed that treatment during pregnancy is safe. However, dental professionals advise scheduling non-urgent care for the second trimester or early in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
The first trimester is not the preferred time for dental treatment. During this time, the fetus’s organ systems are establishing. Also, during the first trimester the fetus is most likely to be affected by the mom’s exposure to medications, chemicals, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
The 3rd trimester presents other possible dangers. In the last half of the third trimester, the uterus ends up being sensitive to influences such as stress or an infection in the mother. These scenarios can cause an increased risk of premature delivery.
In some women who remain in their second and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, the growing uterus will put pressure on a large blood vessel called the inferior vena cava. This can cause a decrease in blood flow. This problem has been reported in as many as 8% of all pregnancies. Women with this condition can have an increase in heart rate. They might feel light-headed.
A dentist who treats a female with this condition need to make sure that she can get in a comfy position during the dental procedure. It’s likewise a good idea to limit the length of the go to.
No matter the trimester, immediate dental treatment needs to not wait. Examples of urgent dental problems include a broken tooth, an infection or another issue that causes pain.
It is best to avoid using any medicines during pregnancy. In circumstances where they are definitely needed, typical antibiotics and pain medications can be used. They need to be used in the smallest quantities possible to achieve outcomes. Your dental practitioner may talk to your obstetrician prior to recommending antibiotics or pain medication.
X-rays need to be avoided during pregnancy. Nevertheless, if they are needed to treat a dental emergency situation, your dentist will take steps to secure you and your baby. You will be covered with a lead apron. You will get just the minimum variety of X-rays had to help the dental practitioner treat you.
If you are pregnant and have bleeding gums, swollen gums, gum pain or a tooth pain, visit your dental expert so he or she can detect the problem. When you check out, make sure to inform your dentist that you are pregnant.
Local anesthetics for needed treatments may be used during pregnancy.