How is pregnancy associated with gum disease and dental cavities?

Did you know that some factors can make pregnant women predisposed to a range of dental issues such as gum disease and dental cavities?

Unfortunately, due to mythical information – most women are worried about going to the dentist when pregnant.

Hormonal changes when pregnant and their impact on oral health

Pregnant women have many hormonal changes that make them susceptible to:

• Swollen gums that bleed easily (a condition called pregnancy gingivitis)
• Cravings that cause them to constantly snack and take sugary substances
• Morning sickness that may cause vomiting. This leads to acid reflux that can erode the tooth surfaces and destroy the teeth.
• Difficulty in brushing teeth, which leads to a poor oral hygiene

They also tend to have increased bacteria in the mouth due to

• Frequent snacking
• Unstable hormones
• Decreased immunity.

What is this swelling on my gum that is causing gum changes in my mouth?

This could be a condition called pyogenic granuloma. It is a tumor-like growth on the gum that easily bleeds when irritated. It appears pink to red in color and mostly occurs during the first trimester and increases throughout for about 7 months.

What is the treatment?

Most of them resolve after pregnancy but some may require a minor surgery called surgical excision by your dentist to remove it.

Are dental procedures safe during pregnancy?

It is recommended to have dental procedures during the 2^nd trimester.

However routine procedures like fillings and teeth cleaning (full mouth scaling) are safe and can be done at any point during your pregnancy.

However one shouldn’t suffer from a painful tooth. dental emergencies with severe pain/discomfort that may require extraction or root canal treatment can be done with caution by a dentist.

Surgical treatment like excision of growths, disimpaction, etc. can be postponed till after delivery of the baby.

Did you know pregnant women with gum disease have a very high risk of getting preterm low birth weight babies? Gum disease must never be tolerated!

Are dental radiographs harmful?

Dental radiographs are only used when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Currently, we have advanced technology in dentistry with x-ray machines that have reduced radiation.

Imagine this – a dental x-ray has a radiation dosage of 0.1mrem, a chest x-ray is at (10-40) mrem and the average radiation in the atmosphere is at 50mrem? Therefore the radiation exposure is very minimal but we still take necessary precautions!

Even with the minimal radiation present, we always have pregnant women who come in for dental procedures wear a lead apron to protect their vital organs and the growing fetus.

What are our recommendations for pregnant women?

• Honor your dental checkups annually to assess and treat any dental issues early before they become dental emergencies
• Maintain brushing twice a day and flossing daily to maintain good oral health and reduce pathogenic bacteria in the mouth
• If you have to take candy, take sugar-free-gum
• Eat well-balanced meals especially with calcium, vitamins, and folic acid. Some women in fact need calcium supplements.
• If vomiting frequently, rinse with water or a mouth rinse to reduce acid erosion on the teeth

What are our recommendations for infants?

Take your baby for a dental checkup after the eruption of the first tooth. The dentist will assess the teeth structure, oral hygiene of the baby, and any congenital issues present for appropriate action.

• Do not share spoons or cutlery with your child to avoid transmission of bacteria
• Bottle feeding or pacifiers at night should be avoided.
• Dilute juices with water to minimize the exposure of their teeth to sugar.

In case you wish to consult with us, our team is always ready to be of service. Book an appointment on our calendar and visit to experience our quality and accessible dental healthcare for every member of your family.