Ensuring dental care for oral health is one of the most common yet important advisories during pregnancy. It sounds simple, but it’s not that simple.
A mum-to-be undergoes a lot of transformation from conceiving to delivering a baby. Her body expands and experiences many hormonal changes as the process involves a new life (the baby). And so, doctors have a list of advisories to be followed with lots of do’s and don’ts.
Whilst it may seem strange to many, the unborn baby’s health can be affected by any of the mother’s ill health symptoms.
Oral health is one of the most neglected yet essential aspects that can affect the unborn baby’s health if a mum-to-be neglects her oral hygiene.
So, this means that she has to follow a stringent dental care routine, be it just brushing teeth, as it is not for one but two.
LET US SEE HOW A MUM’S ORAL HEALTH IS RELATED TO HER BABY’S TEETH.
During pregnancy, a mum-to-be is prescribed many different medications, vitamins, folic acid, and, most importantly, advised to eat various good foods, including fruits and vegetables. All this may be impossible for her to consume during regular times, but the pregnancy period demands it, so it can be tiring.
All this, combined with other factors, creates excessive bacteria growth in the mum’s mouth, which may enter her bloodstream through the gums and move to the uterus. This can trigger the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which can induce premature labour.
Even after the baby is born, the mum can pass on her bacteria to the newborn. It is called vertical transmission. Notably, a mum-to-be has lots of acid-loving bacteria in her mouth, which she can pass on to her newborn.
To avoid any complications related to the oral health of mum as well as the newborn, basic oral hygiene is the key, which is brushing teeth.
Brushing teeth regularly can reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy to a greater extent. Thorough brushing can minimise the chances of any dangerous infections, both in the mother and in the newborn baby.
On the safer side, a mum should brush twice a day and, if possible, after every meal using fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Flossing is also recommended every day.
Good oral practices should be backed by correct nutrition intake, which keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Balanced meals, having calcium and limited excess acidity and sugar are suitable for the oral health of the mother and the baby.
For added protection, the mum can occasionally visit her dentist, who may provide cleaning services to control plaque and prevent gingivitis.
At times, morning sickness may prevent mums from brushing their teeth. To overcome this, mums can switch to neutral-tasting toothpaste or any other dentist recommended brand.
If there is a feeling of vomit or experiencing frequent vomiting, mums can rinse the mouth with plain water or a mouthwash.
EATING RIGHT CAN CREATE A DIFFERENCE
Mums should be careful in eating as it all begins with the mouth. Although sweet cravings are common during pregnancy, try avoiding too many sweet, sugary, and sticky snacks, as they may lead to tooth decay.
Prefer having a healthy and balanced meal consisting of dairy products, yoghurt and cheese which are all excellent sources of essential minerals for a baby’s developing gums, teeth, and bones. A baby’s first teeth begin to form around three months into pregnancy.
In Addition To Regular Brushing And Eating A Balanced Diet, What Else Can Mums Do For Maintaining Oral Health During Pregnancy?
Like other regular pregnancy visits, routine dental checkups should not be compromised even after pregnancy.
Don’t skip your routine dental checkup
Routine dental checkups should not be avoided for any reason because of pregnancy. During this phase, the body experiences many hormonal changes and imbalances that can put the mom at increased risk for periodontal disease. They may experience bleeding in the gums or other such problems. It’s a condition called pregnancy gingivitis.
Generally, around 40% of women suffer from gingivitis during their pregnancy phase. So, if you already have any gum problems, it may worsen during pregnancy.
Inform your dentist about your pregnancy
The mum-to-be should pre-inform the dentist about their pregnancy so that they treat them accordingly. Before taking the dental appointment, the mums should always ask their obstetrician for any precaution or instruction to be followed.
Inform your dentist about your medication
Don’t forget to show your prescription to the dentist or inform them about the medication and prenatal vitamins that you may be taking or any other instructions. This will enable the dentist to understand the situation better and proceed with any dental treatment or check up accordingly.
Also, all elective procedures should be delayed till delivery. However, any mandatory dental procedure should not be postponed.
Don’t ignore any changes to your teeth or gums
If a mum-to-be experiences any bleeding, tenderness, or swelling in the gums during pregnancy, they should not ignore it and consult with their dentist or periodontist without any delay to avoid any complications later.
Dental X-rays should be done with extreme care
In case of dental X-rays during pregnancy, the dentist will take extreme care to safeguard the mum and the baby by shielding the abdomen and thyroid. With advanced technology, X-rays have now become much safer than before.
MUMS SHOULD RESPONSIBLY FOLLOW GOOD ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES TO SAIL THROUGH THE PREGNANCY PHASE WITHOUT ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS.
Here’s a checklist:
- Brush teeth gently while massaging gums twice a day – before and after sleep
- Use fluoride toothpaste – take your dentist’s recommendation
- Choose a soft toothbrush – to avoid hurting your gums
- Floss the teeth once a day – to get rid of plaque
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash – for better taste in the mouth
Remember, when we talk about dental care during pregnancy, it is not only for the mum-to-be but is also for the unborn child.
Now that you know the importance of oral care during pregnancy, you should treat it with equal responsibility, as it’s not only about you but you two.
For more information, please get in touch with us today.