Dental care during pregnancy

How to take care of your teeth before, during and after pregnancy

Here we explain the importance of good dental care before, during and after this remarkable chapter in your life. First of all, you should be very aware of potential gum diseases that are often overlooked during pregnancy and can have serious consequences. Good oral hygiene is the key to preventing major dental as well as other health issues whilst you are pregnant and after your baby has arrived.  Finally, with these good oral hygiene practices in place, your child will also learn how to properly take care of their teeth from an early age.

It is important to emphasize the significant connection between your dental health and your overall physical health conditions. Recent studies have associated poor dental health with diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes and even breast cancer.

During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes, particularly hormonal alterations that can exacerbate the development of diseases such as gingivitis (gum disease) which, in turn, if not treated, can affect the health of your developing baby. It is thus more important than ever that your oral healthcare is in top condition. Here are some tips to help you maintain good oral health before, during, and after pregnancy:

Before Pregnancy:

It is important in all stages of your life to have a good dental care routine with proper brushing, flossing and six-monthly professional cleanings. However, before you plan to start your family, you should make a dental appointment to have your teeth cleaned, checked and your gum tissue carefully examined.  At this time, x-rays can be done to assess for unseen cavities and any problems can be treated in advance of your pregnancy. This is a good time to talk to your dentist about removing amalgam fillings (silver) because of the mercury content and the potential for traveling through breast milk. Having your teeth in great shape is the first place to start.

During Pregnancy:

Make sure your dentist knows that you are expecting a baby. Except in the case of a dental emergencies (root canal treatments or extractions), all dental treatments, apart from cleaning, should be avoided or postponed until after the delivery to prevent infectious risks.
You will need to keep your regular check-ups with your dentist to monitor changes in your gums such as tenderness, bleeding and swelling. Inform your dentist about all types of medication you may be taking including the prenatal vitamins. Based on that information, your dental treatment plan can differ. As baby’s teeth begin to develop in the 3rd month of your pregnancy, what you eat affects their development. Be careful to avoid certain medications such as antibiotics (tetracyclines) because they can stain your baby’s teeth. 

If you are experiencing vomiting with morning sickness, it is highly important that you brush and floss your teeth more frequently to prevent stomach acid from damaging your tooth enamel.

• Don’t brush your teeth right after vomiting, first rinse your mouth out with a bit of water and once you feel better, you can brush your teeth.
• If morning sickness keeps you from brushing your teeth, ask your dentist to recommend a bland-tasting toothpaste and a soft toothbrush with a small brush to prevent the gagging reflex.
• You could also use a fluoride rinse to protect your teeth enamel.

If you were considering a teeth whitening session, I strongly encourage you to wait until after your delivery.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet will help you building strong teeth for your baby. You may find you start craving sugary snacks, but I recommend you try to avoid them as much as possible. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese, and yogurt are a good source of essential minerals and are good for baby's developing teeth, gums, and bones. Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B9 (folic acid) and Calcium are the main components of a rich diet during your pregnancy. Folic acid will also help you to cope with morning sickness. Ask your doctor for more information.

After Delivery and Nursing:

Schedule a dental appointment soon after the delivery so you can have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated. Although local anesthesia and nitrous oxide are all safe while breastfeeding, I recommend you to use a breast pump so that your milk is free from any anesthetic during administration.

Poor dental care & Related Issues

• Cardiovascular - Individuals are twice more likely to suffer from a stroke as a consequence of gum disease than of diabetes.* 
• Diabetes - People with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease and can aggravate an existing lung condition. 
• Respiratory - Periodontal disease may play a causal role in the contraction of a pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.
• Pregnancy - Pre-term labor is seven times more likely in mothers-to-be that have periodontal disease than women with healthy gums**
• Breast Cancer - Women with chronic periodontal disease, indicated by missing molars, have a higher incidence of breast cancer***

You can help prevent your baby from getting cavities or developing what is called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries, by beginning an oral hygiene routine within the first few days after birth.

In order to make your child feel comfortable and familiar with oral hygiene habits, I recommend that from 0-6 months, you use a gauze or a finger brush to wipe your baby’s gums even if no teeth have erupted yet. On average, baby teeth begin to erupt around 6 months. Once a tooth erupts you should clean it each day with a baby toothbrush and water, it will also massage the gums and help baby with teething.

From 6-12 months, you should visit the dentist with your child (before the first birthday). Children who go to the dentist by age 1 tend to need fewer fillings than those who wait. Even though your child’s teeth will fall out it is important to look after them to protect the permanent ones and to develop the good hygiene habits that he or she will have for a lifetime. These visits will help to establish a confidence and easy relationship with your dentist.  Ask your dentist or hygienist about a soft-bristled child’s toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste.

Helpful tips for healthy teeth:

• Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with anything but water.
• Feed your child with food low in sugar.
• Do not dip a pacifier in sweet (honey).
• Do not clean a dropped pacifier in your mouth, use hot water.