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Article Series: Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know
Dental
Checkups During Pregnancy
When
you go for a dental check-up, make sure your dentist knows
you are pregnant. If possible try to avoid
going in the first and later part of the third trimester. Microscopic
cuts can happen during a routine dental exam and infection
is a risk to be avoided at this time. The second and early
part of the third trimester are great times to schedule a dental
visit and make sure all is well. If you are interested in cosmetic
dental care, it is best to wait till after delivery. Make sure
you let your dentist know if you are taking any medications
including your prenatal vitamin. Some medicines can affect
bleeding and risk of infection for some dental procedures.
If X-rays are essential and absolutely necessary (such as in
a dental emergency), your dentist will use extreme caution
to make absolute sure you and your baby are perfectly safe.
Advances in technology have made X-rays much safer today than
in past decades.
Don't
skip your dental checkup appointment because you are pregnant, now more than any other time, regular periodontal
(gum) examinations are very important. Pregnancy causes hormonal
changes that put you at increased risk factors for periodontal
disease and for tender gums that bleed easily, a condition
called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any
changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding
or gum swelling occurs at any time during your pregnancy, talk
with your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible. Follow
good oral hygiene practices to prevent and/or reduce oral health
problems.
Will pregnancy affect my oral health?
The elevated levels of the hormones estrogen
and progesterone in pregnant women can change the effects
on plaque. Hormones
can cause the gums to react differently to the bacteria found
in plaque. The bacteria in plaque, not the increase in hormones,
are what cause gingivitis. In many cases, this can cause a
condition known as "pregnancy gingivitis". Symptoms
include swollen, red and bleeding gums. Brush twice a day and
after getting ill from morning sickness and floss before you
go to bed to help avoid plaque build-up. Women who get regular
dental check-ups prior to pregnancy decrease their chances
of developing pregnancy gingivitis.
Should I receive dental treatment while I'm pregnant?
Continue with your regular dental cleaning and check-ups to
avoid oral infections that can affect the fetus, such as gingivitis
and periodontal disease. Dentists recommend that major dental
treatments that aren't urgent be postponed until after your
child is born. The first trimester, the stage of pregnancy
in which most of the baby's organs are formed, is the most
crucial to your baby's development and is at higher risk to
maternal infection. It is best to have procedures performed
during the second trimester to minimize any potential risk.
Dental treatment is not recommended during the third trimester
because the dental chair tends to be too uncomfortable for
the mother. Make sure to see your dentist if your gums excessively
bleed or are swollen.
If I do need treatment, what drugs are safe?
Be extremely cautious of all drugs during pregnancy. If you
have gingivitis or periodontal disease, your dentist may want
to treat you more often to ward off infection and achieve healthy
gums and a healthy baby. If you need to have dental treatment
done during your pregnancy, some acceptable antibiotics include
penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin. It is important to
avoid tetracycline, which can cause discoloration of your child's
temporary and permanent teeth. Pain products containing acetaminophen,
such as Tylenol, are approved, but you should be wary of other
over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Avoid using narcotics for dental pain until your child is carried
to term. Narcotics are not safe drugs to use while pregnant.
Novocain has also been known to pass through the placenta,
but no known side effects have been found.
Coping With Morning Sickness
If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth,
change to a bland-tasting toothpaste or baking soda during
your pregnancy. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend
brands. Don’t brush immediately after getting sick; it can
just trigger another episode. Rinse your mouth out with water
or a mouth rinse if you suffer from morning sickness and have
bouts of frequent vomiting. Brush your teeth after your stomach
has settled.
Eating Right for Your Teeth and Baby
Avoid sugary snacks and tons of sweets. Sweet cravings are
common during pregnancy but should be kept to a minimum for
healthy teeth. However, keep in mind that the more frequently
you snack, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay,
so brush more often if you have to eat more frequent meals.
Additionally, some studies have shown that the bacteria responsible
for tooth decay are passed from the mother to the child. So
be careful of what you eat. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your
baby's first teeth begin to develop about three months into
your pregnancy. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese
and yogurt. These are a good source of these essential minerals
and are good for your baby's developing teeth, gums, and bones. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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