Dental care is essential for women during pregnancy. Research shows that poor dental hygiene can cause complications in pregnancy. The bacteria from the mother’s mouth can be transmitted through the blood to the unborn child and this can lead to various problems like premature delivery, infection of the new born and so on. Pregnancy brings about hormonal changes and one of the effects is bleeding gums, also known as periodontal disease and pregnancy gingivitis. The gums become tender and hyper-sensitive and this could affect the well-being of your growing baby.
Research shows that eighteen out of every 100 premature births happen due to periodontal disease. If your pregnancy is well-planned, make a trip to the dentist before you plan to get pregnant. Have your teeth cleaned, your gums checked and your teeth examined for any cavities or dental caries.
There has been evidence that dental caries are passed on to children by mothers. It is important to tell your dentist that you are pregnant and more importantly what stage of pregnancy you’re at. Dental treatments are not advised during the first and the second half of the third trimester, as these are very important and sensitive times in the development and growth of the baby. Some pregnant women also suffer from morning sickness; cleansing of the mouth is very important after vomiting.
There are some routine dental care tips that you can follow during your pregnancy to ensure a healthy dental hygiene regimen, these are:
Consult a doctor as well as a dentist when you know you know you’re pregnant. This is important because based on your trimester; certain treatments and procedures will be advised to you. First trimester treatments include x-rays if needed; this is deemed safe during this period however since this is the time fetal organ development takes place, it’s best to let your doctor and dentist decide what’s ideal. The period between the 14th and the 20th weeks is best for treatments. Any pre-arranged, scheduled or cosmetic dental surgeries should be done post delivery as far as possible.
Eating the right foods is also vital to dental care when you’re pregnant. You should maintain a healthy diet. Pregnant women have many cravings, often sweet ones; however it’s a known fact that sugar intake does damage to your teeth. So avoid eating too many sugary foods, and if you must eat something sweet, only have it at mealtimes. Avoid carbonated beverages, instead have water or low-fat milk, as it is a natural source of calcium. A good intake of calcium is very essential for your baby’s growth and for you. Eat whole fruits instead of fruit-juices.
Vitamin D helps the body to make use of calcium, and foods that contain it are margarine, salmon, eggs and cheese. To reduce tooth-decay, chew sugarless gum after eating and eat nutritious foods in small amounts throughout the day.
Remember that control of oral diseases will improve the quality of life for your unborn baby and you. This will also reduce the risk of transmitting dental bacteria to the child in you.
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