Dentist
Can Altuğ Kaya
Practicing aesthetic dentistry, laser-assisted dentistry and implant-supported prostheses in Alsancak, İzmir. Founding dentist of Dentorion Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic.
- Born
- 1962 · Zara
- Graduated
- 1984 · Ege University
Poor oral and dental health in expectant mothers during pregnancy has a negative effect on the baby's development. Women who are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant should definitely have a dental check-up, learn what they need to do for dental and gum health during pregnancy, and have any necessary treatment done.
This is very important for the health of both mother and baby.
İçindekiler
- Oral and Dental Care During Pregnancy
- Toothache During Pregnancy
- First Trimester
- Second Trimester
- Third Trimester
- Laser Dental Treatment During Pregnancy
- Use of Local Anesthesia During Pregnancy
- Dental X-Rays During Pregnancy
- Medication Use During Pregnancy
- In Conclusion: Dentistry During Pregnancy
- Plaque build-up should be prevented with effective oral care: brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
Oral and Dental Care During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, when the body undergoes many physiological and psychological changes, hormonal effects can harm oral and dental health if proper care is not taken. Nausea and vomiting increase acidity in the mouth, causing erosion on tooth surfaces and, subsequently, decay as the acids secreted by bacteria soften the hard tissues of the teeth.
Frequent snacking on sugary foods and skipping brushing because of bleeding gums disrupt oral care and increase the risk of gum infection and tooth decay.
Toothache During Pregnancy
The treatments that can be done during pregnancy differ in each trimester. These are:
First Trimester
In the first three months of pregnancy, the baby's organs are developing. Bacteremia caused at this stage can adversely affect the baby's organ development, and unnecessary interventions can lead to miscarriage. However, if a tooth is causing pain and/or could cause more harm if left untreated, and requires urgent treatment such as extraction or root canal treatment, you should not hesitate to see a dentist.
In emergencies such as a toothache or gum infection, it should be kept in mind that an existing infection may affect the baby's development more than the risks of dental treatment. The dentist will provide treatment that does not harm the baby, in line with the recommendations of the obstetrician.
Second Trimester
In the first three months of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting often prevent adequate brushing and oral care. This has a negative effect on dental and gum health. In the second trimester, a simple scale-and-clean should definitely be done to reduce these negative effects and protect dental and gum health for the rest of the pregnancy. This is also the most suitable period for many treatments that should not be postponed until the end of pregnancy, such as extractions, fillings, root canal treatments and so on.
Third Trimester
By this stage, the baby has grown considerably and the birth is approaching. The mother cannot sit comfortably in the dental chair, and excessive stress can trigger premature labor. As in the first trimester, the dentist will not intervene except for emergency treatment.
During pregnancy, mainly due to the imbalance in estrogen and progesterone hormones, a gum disease called pregnancy gingivitis is seen. In the early stages of pregnancy, swelling and redness of the gums may be observed. Gums in this state are very sensitive and bleed easily. Pregnancy gingivitis usually starts in the 2nd month of pregnancy, peaks in the 8th month and subsides after birth.
Factors such as bacterial plaque or tartar, which build up in people who do not practice regular daily oral care and cause gum infection, can make pregnancy gingivitis much more serious.
Studies have reported that untreated pregnancy gingivitis in the mother can lead to low birth weight. As with other dental treatments, scaling should ideally be done in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Laser Dental Treatment During Pregnancy
Laser treatments can be applied in all situations and age groups, including children, pregnant women and heart patients. Tooth preparation before fillings (decay removal), root canal treatment, gum treatments, curettage (deep gum cleaning), removal of soft tissue lesions, treatment of canker sores and cold sores, treatment of tooth sensitivity (sealing the dentinal tubules), surgical treatments (such as wisdom teeth, implants, oral and jaw surgery) and biostimulation (preventing pain after surgery) can usually be performed with a laser without the need for anesthesia. Thanks to its strong bactericidal effect, the laser provides 100% disinfection and sterilization in the treated area, eliminating the risk of reinfection and new decay. The laser has no known side effects. The only exception is that laser is not applied to cancerous tissue. Patients and staff must wear protective eyewear during laser procedures.
Use of Local Anesthesia During Pregnancy
Local anesthesia during pregnancy can be used because it prevents pain during treatment and reduces stress. However, care should be taken when choosing the local anesthetic during pregnancy.
Local anesthetics containing octapressin can cause uterine contractions and lead to premature labor, so these types of local anesthetics should not be preferred during pregnancy.
Dental X-Rays During Pregnancy
X-rays are not recommended in the first 3 months, as the baby's organs are forming. There is no harm in having X-rays in later stages, but you should consult your obstetrician first. If an X-ray is absolutely necessary for emergency treatment, the expectant mother should wear a special protective lead apron and a low dose should be used.
Medication Use During Pregnancy
Paracetamol-type painkillers are generally used safely during pregnancy. Care should be taken with painkillers, and your obstetrician's recommendations must be followed. If antibiotics are needed, penicillin derivatives (amoxicillin, etc.) pose no risk to the baby. Tetracycline-group antibiotics should not be used. If tetracycline is taken during pregnancy, it causes "tetracycline staining" in the baby's teeth.
In Conclusion: Dentistry During Pregnancy
Nutrition during pregnancy is very important for the general and oral health of both mother and baby. The baby's tooth development begins in the 5th and 6th weeks of pregnancy.
For oral and dental health, throughout pregnancy a balanced intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C and D, phosphorus and calcium, as well as grains, milk and dairy products, meat, fish and eggs is recommended. With good nutrition and adequate oral care, no dental or gum problems different from usual should arise during pregnancy.
Therefore, daily oral and dental care should not be interrupted, because there is a direct link between plaque build-up and gum disease and the hormonal changes during pregnancy. The increase in hormones during pregnancy makes the oral mucosa more sensitive to external factors, especially bacterial plaque.
Plaque build-up should be prevented with effective oral care: brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.