Your Dental Health and Pregnancy

A. Why dental health is important during pregnancy

It is important to take care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy for the following reasons:

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your gums causing them to become more sensitive, swollen and red. This is called “pregnancy gingivitis” or gum disease.

Gingivitis can lead to more serious periodontal (gum and bone) disease without good oral care.

Poor dental health may affect the health of your developing little one. Research shows there may be a link between periodontal disease and having a pre-term or low-birth weight little one. These little ones are at greater risk of having developmental problems, asthma, ear infections, and may have a higher risk of infant death.

B. How pregnancy impacts dental health

Caring for your teeth and gums during pregnancy is an important part of having a healthy pregnancy.

Regular dental cleanings and check-ups are safe at any time during pregnancy. Be sure to tell your dentist or dental hygienist that you are pregnant. Any pain, swelling or infection in your mouth should be treated right away to keep you and your little one healthy.

Your little one’s teeth are fully formed before they are even born, but are not visible as the gums cover them. You can help your baby to develop strong teeth and bones by eating healthy foods during pregnancy and getting enough calcium and vitamin D.

After your little one is born, it is important to continue to take care of your dental health.

Bacteria that causes tooth decay may be passed to your child through saliva.

To prevent passing bacteria to your little one’s mouth:

-Brush and floss your teeth every day.

-Use a different spoon to test your little one’s food, and avoid sharing toothbrushes.

-If you have chosen to use a pacifier, clean it with soap and water instead of your mouth.

-Visit the dentist at least twice a year.

Pregnant women commonly notice that their gums may become red and swollen, and even bleed when they floss or brush their teeth, a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis.” Similar gum inflammation can result from taking birth control pills that contain a type of synthetic progesterone, or even from the normal hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle.

Another, less common effect of pregnancy hormones on the gums is an overgrowth of gum tissue or small, berry-colored lumps at the gum line or between teeth. These growths are called “pregnancy tumors,” though they are completely benign.

All of the above conditions usually clear up within a few months after giving birth. Still, if you experience gum inflammation, it's a sign that you need to take extra conscientious care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy.

i. Gum disease is linked to premature birth

If you have good oral health, you can prevent a number of risks to you and your little one. Pregnant mothers with poor oral health have a risk of developing periodontitis (infection of bone holding the teeth in place). This type of infection has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as:

-delivering a pre-term little one

-delivering a little one with a low birth weight

C. Which pregnancy hormones impact dental health and why

You probably know that many physical and emotional changes you will experience during pregnancy result from an increase in the levels of certain hormones — the chemicals that regulate many important processes in the body. But what you may not realize is that these hormonal variations can affect your oral health — and usually not for the better. In fact, surges in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone can dilate (expand) the tiny blood vessels in your gums, increasing blood flow. This makes gums more sensitive to the bacteria (and associated toxins) found in the sticky dental plaque that accumulates on teeth every day.

i. Estrogen and progesterone

You may be surprised to learn that hormone surges may make you more vulnerable to gum disease. Here’s why: More female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause more blood to flow to your gums, which causes them to become more sensitive and “overreact” to anything that may irritate them. “Women are more sensitive to the presence of plaque and bacteria around the gums when the hormone levels are high,” says ADA dentist Dr. Sally Cram. “This can cause your gums to become inflamed, swell and bleed. If left untreated, ongoing inflammation in the gums can also lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventual tooth loss.”

Your hormones are a fact of life, but gum disease not so much. It’s actually preventable and reversible in its early stages. So what’s a woman to do? Start by paying extra attention and taking good care of your mouth during these five times in your life.

D. How to prevent dental problems during pregnancy

Your teeth can be affected by what you eat and drink, how often you eat and drink, how long the food stays on your teeth, as well as how long plaque is left on your teeth. Plaque is the sticky film that contains bacteria.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy:

-Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.

-Clean carefully along the gum line where plaque sticks.

-Floss your teeth every day before bedtime.

-Choose to drink water between meals and snacks. Avoid frequent sipping on sweet liquids.

-Brush your teeth after meals and snacks. If this is not possible, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride mouth rinse.

-Eat healthy foods and limit foods that are sweet or stick to your teeth. If you eat sweets occasionally, try to eat them at mealtime.

-Do not smoke or drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can leave stomach acids in your mouth. Do not brush your teeth for 30 minutes after vomiting. The stomach acid combined with brushing may erode your tooth enamel. Rinse your mouth with water, or mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water. You can also use a fluoride mouth rinse to freshen your mouth and protect your teeth.