Regular dental appointments are secure and crucial for your oral and general health for women with healthy pregnancies. Your obstetrician may need to be contacted first if your pregnancy is thought to be high-risk, such as if you have elevated blood pressure. Preterm births and low birth weight newborns are connected to untreated gum disease during pregnancy. It is crucial to maintain good dental health during pregnancy.
Will They Take X-Rays?
Elective x-rays can wait till after delivery, although they are allowed if necessary for diagnostic purposes during urgent dental care.
Should I Still Get A Dental Cleaning?
Any time while pregnancy is okay to get a dental cleaning. Due to pregnancy hormones and a more heightened response to bacterial plaque, gum inflammation is frequently experienced during pregnancy. Increased gum inflammation might call for more frequent dental cleanings.
What If I Need A filling?
Fillings are typically performed with a local anesthetic, which is safe to use while pregnant. The second trimester would be the ideal time for fillings. Since the first trimester is when the baby develops most critically, spending a lot of time in the dental chair during the third trimester may be painful.
Fluoride During Pregnancy:
It is safe and advised to brush twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride applications performed by a dental professional are typically postponed until after the baby is born. An application of fluoride varnish may be necessary in cases of severe teeth erosion brought on by acid reflux or vomiting.
Comfortable Positioning In The Dental Chair:
Being seated in a dentist chair while pregnant can be difficult, especially in the third trimester. The fetus might be pressing on the mother’s major blood vessels when she is supine, which could prevent blood flow and cause low blood pressure. The mother can avoid this by elevating her right hip, leaning slightly to her left side, and keeping her legs uncrossed. This will enable healthy blood flow.
Other Dental Considerations During Pregnancy:
- Pregnancy gingivitis – Pregnancy-related gingivitis is characterized by increased gum edema, redness, bleeding, and sensitivity. This illness, which typically begins in the first trimester, is brought on by high hormone levels and an overreaction to bacterial plaque. Sometimes a big lesion that resembles a tumor will develop. A pregnancy tumor known as a pyogenic granuloma may or may not need to be surgically removed by a dentist. Maintaining good dental hygiene will aid in avoiding these illnesses.
- Dental erosion – Vomiting is typical during pregnancy and can cause teeth to erode from acid. It’s crucial to avoid brushing right away after getting sick in order to neutralize the acids. Instead, rinse with water or a mix of water and baking soda. After being sick, wait around 30 minutes before brushing. During pregnancy, some moms may experience acid reflux, which can also cause teeth erosion. The enamel will be strengthened and protected from the stomach acids by using a fluoride toothpaste.
It’s crucial to let your dentist know if you’re expecting so they can give you the best care possible for both you and your growing child.
