It is well known that teeth during pregnancy can cause expectant mothers considerable trouble. Cavity formation, gum bleeding and inflammation, toothache… are just some of the problems that occur very frequently during this period. Because of this, it is often thought that pregnancy itself is the main cause of tooth decay and tooth loss. However, this belief is completely wrong! Pregnancy is not and cannot be the main reason for these problems.
If you are a pregnant woman who has problems with teeth during pregnancy – in this text you will find everything you need to know in order to successfully recognize and solve dental problems during pregnancy.
Toothache During Pregnancy – Causes
Toothache during pregnancy is a relatively common occurrence, which is why many women think that its main causes are physiological changes that occur during this period.
However, this is not true. Pregnancy itself does not directly affect the occurrence of dental problems.
In fact, the main causes are hormonal imbalance and poor oral hygiene.
The most common reason why cavities appear during pregnancy, which cause toothache, is tooth decay.
On the other hand, the most common “culprit” for cavity formation is sugar. Women during pregnancy have a strong craving for sweets – which is completely normal, but which can also increase the risk of cavity formation and development.
This is why it is necessary to pay special attention to oral hygiene. Regular tooth brushing will greatly prevent cavities from appearing during pregnancy, and thus will also reduce the risk of toothache.
At the very least, it is recommended that the mouth be rinsed with water after consuming any food.
In addition to cravings for sweets, morning sickness that occurs during pregnancy can also affect teeth because stomach acid can significantly damage tooth enamel.
The recommendation for pregnant women is to not brush teeth immediately after vomiting, but only to rinse the mouth with water to prevent additional damage to the tooth enamel. Only after one hour can teeth be brushed with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Gum Inflammation During Pregnancy
Gingivitis or gum inflammation during pregnancy is another problem that is very common in pregnant women. The cause can be hormonal imbalance. Due to unstable hormone levels, teeth during pregnancy can become more sensitive to bacteria and more susceptible to their negative effects.
Since bacteria are found in dental plaque, the solution to this problem is also one – regular and proper oral hygiene. By regularly brushing teeth, using dental floss and interdental brushes, plaque is removed, and with it any potential gum inflammation during pregnancy.
When it comes to gum inflammation during pregnancy, its symptoms are red and swollen gums, and sometimes there can be bleeding. This bleeding does not have to be dangerous, since gum inflammation is not a major problem.
However, if left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, which is a serious disease of the tooth support apparatus. Because of this, it is very important to notice tooth swelling during pregnancy and gum inflammation in time, and to visit a dentist.
Can Teeth Be Treated During Pregnancy, and in What Way?
One of the myths is that teeth cannot be treated during pregnancy. This often causes pregnant women to never visit a dentist during that period.
Most of the confusion about the harmfulness of dental treatments during pregnancy is caused by anesthesia in pregnancy and tooth X-rays during pregnancy.
Anesthesia During Pregnancy
Local anesthesia used during certain dental procedures – is absolutely not harmful to the pregnant woman or the baby. Therefore, it is completely permissible to use anesthesia during pregnancy. If tooth repair or extraction is needed during pregnancy, it can be done without any contraindications using anesthesia.
The advice is that any interventions (tooth extraction during pregnancy, repair, etc.) should be performed in the second trimester of pregnancy. The first trimester should be avoided because the fetus develops most intensively during that period. On the other hand, in the last months of pregnancy, there may be difficulties in performing procedures due to the size of the pregnant woman’s abdomen.
During this period, the dental chair can be uncomfortable for expectant mothers, so dentists must be especially careful.
Teeth whitening during pregnancy is not recommended.
Tooth X-Rays During Pregnancy
It is recommended to avoid tooth X-rays during pregnancy, whenever possible.
If X-rays are unavoidable, then it is recommended that they be performed after the 12th week of pregnancy, with all necessary safety measures.
How to Relieve Tooth Pain During Pregnancy?
If you are a pregnant woman experiencing toothache, before taking any pain relief medication – consult with your dentist.
When gum inflammation during pregnancy does occur, increase your oral hygiene routine. When cleaning your teeth, use soft toothbrushes as well as interdental cleaning aids (dental floss and interdental brushes)
Pregnancy Does Not Affect Teeth, But Tooth Problems Can Affect Pregnancy
As a conclusion to what has been said, we can emphasize once again that pregnancy itself does not affect tooth problems. Teeth in pregnant women will not decay and fall out by themselves, and gum inflammation will not occur spontaneously.
It is true that pregnancy can indirectly be responsible for tooth problems due to hormonal imbalance, but for all problems there is a simple solution: regular and proper maintenance of oral hygiene.
On the other hand, the occurrence of infections or diseases such as periodontitis can have a negative effect on pregnancy or the baby. It has been documented that oral problems can lead to premature delivery or low birth weight in newborns.
Because of this, maintaining oral hygiene and visiting the dentist at least twice during pregnancy is very important and reflects responsible behavior of the expectant mother.
Dental examination, tartar removal and tooth polishing is a free service for all pregnant women.
For healthy teeth during pregnancy and more useful tips on proper oral hygiene for pregnant women and care of your baby’s first teeth, schedule your appointment and visit the dental office Dental Vortex.