Visiting the Dentist During Pregnancy
For pregnant women, the period between the 2 trimesters of pregnancy, namely the 3rd and 6th month, is the best time for dental treatments and routine tartar cleaning. If there is a problem that causes pain or discomfort, the pregnant gynecologist and dentist should program the treatment together to eliminate the pain. However, it is not preferred to do non-emergency treatments while pregnant.
What Should We Do Before Pregnancy?
Before pregnancy is planned, a gynecologist should meet with a doctor and plan, as well as go to the dentist to solve the problems related to our problematic teeth and gums, and also have radiological examinations to determine the teeth that may cause problems and take precautions beforehand. In this way, you can have a smooth and stress-free pregnancy period in terms of dental health.
What happens in our mouth during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, our mouth is prone to gingivitis due to the sudden increase in hormone levels. If the food residues (plaque) in the gums are not completely cleaned, gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums) can easily occur. Pregnant women with severe gum disease are at risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight babies. It is possible to ensure that this does not occur at all, by brushing teeth correctly and effectively and by using dental floss.
Acidic environment in the mouth can cause wear and sensitivity in the teeth in pregnant women who usually have morning sickness and frequent vomiting. To prevent this, it is recommended to mouthwash or at least frequently rinse the mouth with water. It is possible to get rid of this by effective and correct brushing.
However, as the acidity of the environment in the mouth reaches its maximum right after vomiting, brushing the teeth at this time causes erosion on the enamel surface. The appropriate method is to rinse the mouth with plenty of water and wait 20-30 minutes after vomiting. If the pregnant woman is nauseous from constantly brushing her teeth, it is even useful to rinse with water and remove the acid from her mouth.
What is Pregnancy Tumor?
Pregnant women are also at risk of developing a "pregnancy tumor". These are inflammatory lesions caused by the irritation of gingival growths. Although it is usually left alone, the patient can be given What is Pregnancy Tumor?
It also prevents the formation of gum tumors and decays.
What are the Problems Related to Teeth?
Since there will be problems in your gums due to the changing hormonal balance during pregnancy, you should definitely have your gingival diseases treated and controlled with good hygiene. Otherwise, you may face the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Even if you do not have any problems, a good tartar cleaning should be done, and how to brush should be taught with hygiene training.
20 Age Teeth: These can stand for years without causing problems. If you have a decaying 20-year-old tooth with a gum pocket around it, buried or semi-buried or covered with food debris, it is necessary to get rid of it before conceiving. Because the problem it will cause is usually a severe pain and inflammation. The way to solve this is through antibiotics, x-rays, and often shooting.
Decayed Teeth: Small caries can be easily done between 3 and 6 months. If you have decayed teeth that cause you a little discomfort, you should definitely have your treatment before pregnancy ..
Remember to go to the dentist every 3 months after getting pregnant!
What should be done in case of dental problems during pregnancy?
Treatment for these can be done easily between 3-6 months of pregnancy.
The right thing is to consult with the obstetrician of the patient at every stage of pregnancy and make a personal decision according to the difficulty level of the treatment.
First trimester:
This period is a period when the baby is very sensitive. Unnecessary dental interventions should be avoided. However, emergency treatments such as extraction of teeth, root canal treatment should be performed if it causes pain and / or may cause more harm to the mother if not intervened, and the mother should go to the dentist without hesitation. The dentist should have tartar cleaning.
»Second trimester:
This period is not suitable to be postponed until the end of pregnancy, tooth extraction, fillings, root canal treatments, etc. It is the most appropriate period for many treatments.
»Third trimester:
During this period, the baby has grown considerably in the womb and the birth is approaching. As in the first trimester, dentist intervention should be postponed until after delivery, except for emergency treatments. Your dentist can clean tartar. In dental interventions, the mother should not lie on her back for a long time.
What Should You Pay Attention To In Order To Avoid Problems In Your Child's Teeth?
Apart from a balanced diet, being healthy and avoiding medications as much as possible, there is not much that can be done directly. Everything develops automatically. Calcium phosphorus and other minerals required for the development of baby's teeth are taken from the mother's bloodstream, and nothing other than a really bad diet of the mother can affect the baby's tooth-forming cells to build normal tissues with these essential minerals.
We know that fluoride is important in tooth development, but it is not possible to add more fluoride to the teeth of an unborn baby with the mother's diet or fluoride-containing pills. In other words, there is no use for pregnant women to take extra fluoride.
There are several things you can avoid for your baby's teeth during your pregnancy.
Stay away from infections. If you have a fever caused by a virus or infection, the delicate balance of calcium and phosphorus salts in your bloodstream may be disturbed. This may impair the quality and quantity of your baby's tooth structure at that time.
Even if prescribed by your doctor, do not use antibiotics containing tetracycline as much as possible. Tetracycline stains the milk and permanent teeth that are being formed and causes discoloration when applied. Doctors do not use this antibiotic much anymore.
Eat well. This is very important for your child's dental health as in every aspect.
Another important point is that if the expectant mother gives birth prematurely, the teeth of the child are also affected. The reason for this is that the mineralized areas of the teeth near birth cannot be completed and they are less resistant to decay. Premature babies' teeth need more attention. Cavities are less common in children born on time.
Which dental treatments cannot be done during pregnancy?
Many dental interventions can be done during pregnancy. However, the best time for any dental treatment is between the 4th and 6th months. In emergency situations accompanied by severe pain, treatment can be performed at any time during pregnancy. In cases that require anesthesia and medication, a consultation is made with the gynecologist and the procedures that can be postponed are left after the birth.
Can dental x-rays be taken during pregnancy?
In this period, if it is very necessary for treatment, an x-ray film can be taken inside the mouth. Although the amount of radiation given in dental x-rays is very low and not very close to the abdominal area, a lead apron must be used to prevent the developing baby from receiving radiation. Computer-aided X-ray systems (RVG) also contain lower doses of radiation than conventional dental X-rays. Nevertheless, the x-ray should be avoided whenever possible.
Does tooth decay occur more during pregnancy?
There are several reasons why teeth decay more quickly during this period; during pregnancy, sweet, etc. food is consumed too much and oral care is neglected as a result of vomiting, the mouth environment becomes acidic and the mouth is not rinsed with water and oral care is neglected in this state, the gums bleed more quickly with the effect of pregnancy hormones (estrogen, progertron). . This increases the formation of caries.
Does gingivitis occur during pregnancy?
Sağlıklı dişeti portakal kabuğu gibi hafif pürüzlü, diş ile belirgin sınırlı, düzgün hatlı ve pembe renklidir. Sağlıklı dişeti fırçalarken, yemek yerken ve günlük hayatta spontan olarak kesinlikle kanamaz.
In gingivitis, the gums are red, increased in volume, sensitive and bleeding. This picture mostly affects the majority of pregnant women in the 2nd trimester, with different severity. If gingivitis is already present, it may increase in severity during pregnancy and progress if left untreated.
How can oral problems during pregnancy be prevented?
Gingivitis can be prevented by effective care and cleaning of teeth. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and, where possible, after each meal. All teeth should be cleaned with dental floss every day. If brushing teeth in the morning is uncomfortable, the mouth should be rinsed with water or anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwash. Along with a balanced diet, vitamin C and B12 supplements are also important for maintaining oral health. More frequent visits to the dentist also prevent the development of gingivitis by providing effective plaque control. Ensuring plaque control also reduces gum irritation and the risk of pregnancy tumors.
There is a direct relationship between plaque accumulation and gum disease and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Plaque accumulation should be prevented by effective dental care by using a toothbrush and dental floss at least twice a day.
Your daily oral and dental care should not be interrupted.
During pregnancy, you should achieve optimal oral hygiene and gain the habit of maintaining it by undergoing a full oral examination.
What should be considered in nutrition in terms of your teeth during pregnancy?
Basic foods rich in vitamins A, C, D and phosphorus and calcium, fruits and vegetables, cereals, milk and dairy products, meat, fish and eggs should be consumed in a balanced way. Sugar should not be taken as much as possible (especially between meals).
Sticky sugary foods such as dried fruit and carob should be avoided. It is necessary to regulate the consumption of all these.