Pregnancy and Oral Health Connection

Pregnancy and Oral Health Connection

Congratulations! You are pregnant and there are many changes that your body will  go through and this includes your teeth and gums! Women in general, experience changes in their gum tissue throughout  the month due to changing hormone levels caused by their menstrual cycle.  Pregnant women experience this even more so.  Here are some things to remember…

·        Morning sickness – If you are experiencing morning sickness now is a time to visit your dentist even more frequently.  The acids in our stomachs that help to digest food can be particularly rough on tooth enamel. 

·        Gingivitis – During pregnancy women bodies go through major hormonal changes.  These hormonal changes can cause gingivitis, which if left untreated  can advance to later stages of gum disease, which can cause tooth loss, increased strain on other bodily systems, and even premature labor. One of these bodily systems includes your cardiovascular system, which is already strained due to the increase in blood volume during pregnancy.

·        Baby’s health – Recent studies now show that oral bacteria and their bi-products have the ability to cross the placenta.  These bacterial products can harm the fetus and cause an inflammatory reaction in the pregnant woman's body. It can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight of an infant.

·        Pregnancy Tumors -  Sometimes during pregnancy women will develop a large lump with deep red pinpoint markings on inflamed gum tissue.  This lump may bleed and crust over.  This can cause discomfort and these women may have trouble eating, talking or drinking. These are pregnancy tumors and can occur anytime during pregnancy, but most likely in the second trimester.  Don’t let the word tumor scare you though.  They aren’t cancerous or contagious.  It is thought that up to 10% of women develop these during pregnancy if their oral hygiene is not to perfection.  The improved oral hygiene and removal of the above will resolve this problem.   To summarize: Frequent visits to the dentist during pregnancy are very desired.   


 

 

Pregnancy Tumor

·        Pregnancy cravings and tooth decay – Many times during pregnancy women eat sugary and starchy food items they may otherwise avoid.  Visiting  your dentist regularly can help to avoid problems that might arise from indulging these cravings.

·        Baby’s oral health – The bacteria that causes dental cavities is often passed to infants by their mothers.  Mothers with healthy mouths have healthier infants.

·        Great modeling behaviors for baby- Adopting good oral hygiene, and  regular dental visits, flossing daily, brushing twice a day, choosing healthier diet , will help to ensure good oral hygiene habits for your baby. 

Pregnancy is such a special time for women.  With frequent visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene many of the complications that can arise from poor oral health can be avoided. If you have any more questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will be happy to answer them.