Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:01 AM
Apr 17, 2016 News
By Dr. Neromini Fagu
It is important to take care of your teeth and gums in general but if you are pregnant, you need to pay extra attention to them. During pregnancy, the body undergoes a lot of changes and there is also an increased risk of developing gum disease. The rise in hormonal levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased gum irritation.
This may not only affect your health, but the health of your baby as well.If you plan on getting pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you should schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure your dental health is in order. Your dentist will do an examination and highlight any dental issues that need addressing.
Of course, not everyone can plan their pregnancy so you may have to receive dental treatment during your pregnancy. Routine dental care can be done any time during pregnancy with the ideal time being the second trimester. Any urgent procedure such as a root canal or tooth extractioncan be done as well but it may be more difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time as your pregnancy progresses.
All elective dental procedures, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures should be postponed until after the delivery. Before you have your dental appointment, check with your doctor to see if there are any special instructions for your dentist.
You will need to provide your dentist with the names and dosages of all drugs you are taking – including medications and prenatal vitamins. Your dentist may need to alter your dental treatment plan based on this information.
Some women may develop certain dental conditions during their pregnancy. Pregnancy gingivitis is an increased inflammatory response to dental plaque during pregnancy resulting in swelling and bleeding of the gums. Pregnancy gingivitis typically peaks during the third trimester but can develop into periodontitis if left untreated.
In approximately five per cent of pregnancies, women develop a lesion in the front part of their gums, called a pregnancy epulis. It usually goes away after pregnancy but if there is severe pain it may need to be removed beforehand.
If you have morning sickness and vomit a lot during your pregnancy you may get tooth erosion from the exposure to gastric acid. Dental caries may also increase during pregnancy due to the increased acidity in your mouth, greater intake of sugary snacks and drinks due to pregnancy cravings, and decreased attention to oral hygiene practices.
Currently, there are conflicting studies about possible adverse effects on the developing baby from medications used during dental work.If anesthesia is needed for dental work, the amount administered should be as little as possible but sufficient to make you comfortable. Lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthesia drug in Guyana for dental work and is considered safe. Dental work often requires antibiotics to prevent or treat infections.
Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin are safe during pregnancy and may be prescribed by your dentist. However, tetracycline should be avoided both during your pregnancy and breastfeeding as it will stain your child’s baby and adult teeth.
Dental x-rays should be avoided in the first trimester as this is the period when your baby’s organs are developing and are most sensitive to radiation and chemicals. If emergency dental x-rays are needed, digital x-rays combined with proper radiation protection are a safe option.
If you notice any changes in your mouth during pregnancy, see your dentist. Dental experts say it is important not to overlook oral health care during pregnancy. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and good dental hygiene habits not only help prevent oral problems during pregnancy, they may also positively affect the health of your unborn child.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].
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