Can oral health affect pregnancy?

There is increasing evidence to suggest a relationship between gum disease and premature and infant births below normal weight. Pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to give birth to a premature or smaller baby.

However, more research is needed to confirm how gum disease affects pregnancy. Apparently, this disease causes high levels of biological fluids that induce labor. The data also suggests that when this disease worsens during pregnancy, there is a greater risk that the baby will be premature.

What can I do to make sure I have a healthy pregnancy?

The best advice for women who are planning to have a baby is to visit the dentist for a review and treatment of any oral problems before becoming pregnant.

During pregnancy, teeth and gums need special attention. Brushing and flossing periodically, eating a balanced diet and visiting the dentist regularly will help reduce the dental problems that accompany pregnancy.

What oral problems can develop during pregnancy?

Studies show that many pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis. Symptoms are red, swollen and bleeding gums.

Pregnancy gingivitis occurs more frequently in this period because high levels of hormones accentuate the gum's reaction to plaque irritants. However, plaque (and not hormones) is still the main cause of gingivitis.

Keeping your teeth clean, especially near the gum, will greatly help reduce and even prevent gingivitis during this period. Further; It is better for your teeth, substitute sweets for healthier foods, such as cheese, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

What should I expect from the visit to the dentist during pregnancy?

First, when scheduling the visit, tell your dentist that you are pregnant. It is better to schedule it between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy since it is believed that the first three months of pregnancy are the most important for the development of the baby. During the last trimester, the stress associated with dental visits can increase the incidence of prenatal complications.

Generally, the dentist will avoid x-rays, dental anesthesia, analgesics and antibiotics (particularly tetracycline) during the first trimester, unless they are absolutely necessary. During the last trimester of pregnancy, sitting for long periods in the dental chair can be uncomfortable. In addition, there is evidence that pregnant women are more likely to suffer from nausea, however, the dentist is prepared for this situation.

If you need to schedule an emergency visit, let the professionals know that you are pregnant immediately. Tell him about any concerns, previous miscarriages, and medications you are taking, as they can affect the way he takes care of your needs. Occasionally, it may be necessary before starting any treatment that the dentist makes an inter-consultation with your doctor. 

If you have any questions and also you live in US Houston, be sure to consult the best dentist in Houston. If you are outside the US then must schedule your visit to your dentist or Doctor of your area In the event that your dentist prescribes any medication, do not exceed the prescribed dose, even if it is exclusively aspirin.

Why are teeth damaged in pregnancy? Read on and find out why.

With the onset of pregnancy, there is a noticeable change in the hormonal parameters and in addition, the decrease in the immune defenses is added, in order to defend the fetus from possible adverse reactions of the organism. These conditions can give rise to gingivitis or caries. The oral mucous membranes become thicker and more deeply perfused with blood, which makes the gums appear darker and swollen. This promotes the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, thus the accumulation of plaque. Gingivitis, in fact, is nothing but the inflammation of the gums caused by the aggression of bacteria and sometimes even the simple passage of the toothbrush is enough to make them bleed. In addition, the amount of a protein (called mucin) increases in saliva, which favors the aggressiveness of bacterial plaque. The onset of caries is not directly derived from pregnancy, but the risk of onset can increase due to some wrong behaviors and the change in oral pH, which becomes more acidic. The gums, often swollen, favor the stagnation of food residues between the dental interstices. Moreover, in those suffering from nausea, the mere use of the toothbrush can provoke the retching, thus pushing it to reduce its use. Finally, the gastric juices that rise weaken the enamel, making it more vulnerable to caries bacteria.  

PERIODIC VISITS (1.) Periodic visits to the dentist periodically scheduled, usually at the beginning of the pregnancy, around the 4th month, the 7th month and 2/3 months after the birth, even if you do not suffer from any disorder are always appropriate. This is an important measure to prevent urgent interventions, which should be avoided while waiting. Cleansing of plaque and tartar performed by the dentist is also useful: the best period is the second trimester when any nausea has disappeared. Much of the normal dental care, for example, fillings or devitalization are easily carried out during the wait. In fact, local anesthetics are not contraindicated because they do not pass the placental barrier. During the first trimester, it is better not to resort to invasive therapies that require the use of drugs, unless the intervention is extremely urgent. After this period, however, many antibiotics can be used, with some exceptions (eg tetracycline, which can cause the teeth of the unborn child to turn brown in color). In any case, it is always advisable to consult your trusted gynecologist for any medication. It is better to avoid the use of radiographs, even if the use of the lead corset that shields the rays, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. instead, many antibiotics can be used, with some exceptions (eg tetracyclines, which can cause the teeth of the unborn child to turn brown in color). In any case, it is always advisable to consult your trusted gynecologist for any medication. It is better to avoid the use of radiographs, even if the use of the lead corset that shields the rays, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. instead, many antibiotics can be used, with some exceptions (eg tetracyclines, which can cause the teeth of the unborn child to turn brown in color). In any case, it is always advisable to consult your trusted gynecologist for any medication. It is better to avoid the use of radiographs, even if the use of the lead corset that shields the rays, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. which can cause the teeth of the unborn child to turn brown in color). In any case, it is always advisable to consult your trusted gynecologist for any medication. It is better to avoid the use of radiographs, even if the use of the lead corset that shields the rays, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. which can cause the teeth of the unborn child to turn brown in color). In any case, it is always advisable to consult your trusted gynecologist for any medication. It is better to avoid the use of radiographs, even if the use of the lead corset that shields the rays, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. even if the use of the lead corset that shields the spokes, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. even if the use of the lead corset that shields the spokes, makes the risks for the fetus almost null. Furthermore, the introduction of digital devices has greatly reduced X-ray exposure during the execution of an X-ray. Neglecting an infection or acute pain is much more dangerous for the mother and her baby than for dental care. When in doubt, it is always best to book a visit. 

ORAL HYGIENE (2.) First of all, it is necessary to clean the teeth with adequate frequency and extreme care after all the meals and, in case one suffers from nausea, after all the regurgitations, since the gastric juices that go up again, ruin the enamel of the teeth, favoring aggression by caries bacteria. Bring your own toothbrush and floss. The toothbrush must have artificial bristles of medium-soft hardness, with the head not excessively large. The recommended toothpaste is fluoride. It is useful to occasionally use plaque detection pills, to be chewed after home cleaning, in order to identify the areas that are colored that are the least clean to get used to paying special attention to those points during subsequent washes. The movement of the toothbrush must be vertical. Care must be taken to thoroughly clean the area between the tooth and the gum at the level of the collar, positioning the bristles of the brush gently in this area and brushing to remove all the plaque, the main cause of inflammation of the gums. It will also be necessary to carry out professional cleaning by the dentist if necessary. The consequences of poor oral health can adversely affect pregnancy, can anticipate the date of delivery and can lead to the birth of premature and underweight babies. In fact, a British study found that cleaning teeth can decrease the risk of giving birth prematurely by 84%. This would be due to the release of prostaglandins due to inflammation in the mouth, causing a series of chain reactions in the body inducing labor.

CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY TEETHS EVEN IN PREGNANCY?

Hormones, as we know, exert a significant influence on the physiology of our body throughout the course of life. Women in particular undergo hormonal changes in both physiological and non-physiological conditions, such as, for example, in the event of pregnancy, hormonal therapies or the use of oral contraceptives.

Inflammatory changes in gum tissues that occur during pregnancy can be the result of an exaggerated response of the tissues towards bacterial plaque. When the periodontal tissues are in good health and the patient uses adequate measures for personal oral hygiene, no significant gingival alteration is foreseeable.

The gingiva may exhibit a reaction to the physiological changes typical of pregnancy and also to the influences of the increase in circulating levels of female sex hormones. Injuries, poor oral hygiene and local irritations caused by tartar or prosthesis can be adjuvant factors.

From the moment of fertilization and implantation of the egg, the corpus luteum begins to produce considerably greater quantities of progesterone and estrogen, which by the third trimester reach values 10 to 30 times higher than those found during the menstrual cycle. As a result it increases the potential biological impact of estrogen and progesterone on the periodontium during this period.

The gingival reaction during pregnancy is usually observed starting from the second month and, if left untreated, continues, as the hormonal level rises, up to a maximum peak during the eighth month.

When a pregnant woman is motivated in the conscientious practice of oral cleansing and plaque control procedures, gum disease should not occur; however, it requires a specific schedule for calculus removal and disease control instructions.

Some patients believe they have more tooth decay during and due to pregnancy. Research has shown that this is not true, and that every relationship is indirect. The factors that lead to the formation of dental caries are the same during pregnancy as during other periods.

A topical fluoroprophylaxis program and the limitation of cariogenic foods (eg sugars) together with a proper diet are the basis of all preventive efforts!

WHAT IS THE CORRECT PROGRAMMING OF ORAL HYGIENE APPOINTMENTS FOR A WOMAN IN PREGNANCY?

The patient should be seen three times during the period of pregnancy; the session should be brief, therefore, in the case of large accumulations of tartar, it is preferable to schedule a series of appointments.

In the case of gingivitis the recall should be carried out every two months or monthly, even for the entire period of breastfeeding, depending on the degree of motivation of the patient. During these sessions, the scaling maneuvers (technique with which the deposits of tartar are removed from the teeth) and root planing (technique with which the remains of tartar are removed, the altered or necrotic cement, leaving a smooth root surface and hard. Also called root polishing) should be performed with particular care, taking care to motivate and re-educate the patient to correct home-based prevention maneuvers.

Topical applications of fluorine to the pregnant woman: solutions or fluorine gels are advisable after the scaling and root smoothing sessions, especially for those with carioreceptive and / or having many restorations. For all of them a fluoride toothpaste is recommended and, depending on the case, also rinses or daily home applications of fluoridated gels.

It is good to inform the patient to perform rinses with basic solutions (bicarbonate) after each episode of hyperemesis (vomiting) in order to lower the pH of the oral cavity. A complication could be the formation of the Epulis (called epulis gravida); it would be gingival hypertrophy, as an effect of hormonal imbalance and plaque. They appear as extroflexions usually at the level of the interproximal papillae, they must be removed if they are painful or bleeding..............................