Pregnancy & Oral Health 2015-06-24T18:27:10+00:00

Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time of your life. There are many things to consider while pregnant but it is important not to overlook the care of your teeth and gums. There are many ways in which pregnancy can contribute to dental problems but if you keep your mouth healthy it will contribute to your overall health and it is more likely that your baby’s mouth will be healthy also. There is no reason not to continue with normal dental treatment, but please let the dentists at Rathfarnham Dental Practice know if you are pregnant. Nearly all procedures like having local anaesthetic, cleaning, fillings, removal of teeth and the taking of small xrays are perfectly safe while you are pregnant.

What effects can pregnancy have on my gums and teeth?

1. Pregnancy gingivitis

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause the gums to over-respond to the presence of plaque and calculus on the teeth resulting in red and swollen gums, bleeding on brushing and flossing, bad breath or a taste. Statistics show that around 70% of women will experience pregnancy gingivitis. Proper brushing and interdental cleaning and regular dentist/hygienist visits will prevent this and it will resolve after pregnancy.

pregnancy12. Acid erosion

If you suffer from morning sickness, vomiting acid material from the stomach can erode your tooth enamel. You are also more likely to get acid reflux because of the fetus pushing on the stomach. After vomiting, you should always rinse your mouth out with water or baking soda to neutralize the acid (1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in a cup of water).

3. Tooth decay

Increased appetite, cravings or snacking to keep the stomach settled if you have morning sickness, all increase your risk tooth decay. If possible, avoid snacking on sugary foods between meals. This, combined with good cleaning techniques, the use of fluoride and regular dental checks will reduce if not eliminate tooth decay.

4. Pregnancy Epulis

This is a swelling of up to 2cm on the gums, typically where gingivitis has not been controlled. It has about a 5% incidence. It usually resolves after pregnancy but may sometimes need to be removed. Such more advanced gum problems have recently been linked to an increased risk of preterm and low birth weight babies. Regular hygienist visits during pregnancy will minimize this risk.

In the past pregnant women felt they could not attend for dental treatment. The opposite is the case in that it is more important to look after your mouth at this special time. If you require any more information or have any concerns you can discuss it with the dentists/hygienists at Rathfarnham Dental Practice.