Pregnancy is a very delicate time for a woman’s body, and the mouth is no exception. Looking after your oral health safely during pregnancy is possible and, in some cases, absolutely necessary to avoid risks to the unborn baby.
Numerous clinical studies confirm that pregnant women are more likely to develop oral diseases such as tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. The causes lie in the many physiological changes that accompany pregnancy.
Nausea and vomiting due to hyperemesis gravidarum, altered eating habits and gastro-oesophageal reflux can cause dental erosion and increase the risk of tooth decay and inflammatory complications.
During pregnancy it is therefore essential to pay closer attention to oral health, with meticulous daily hygiene, more frequent check-ups and a healthy, varied diet, which is indispensable for protecting the mouth.
Oral diseases and risks for the unborn baby:
In 1996 a study demonstrated a close correlation between periodontal disease and premature birth. In the following years, a series of studies confirmed the direct link between periodontitis and miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, damage to and rupture of the membranes, and low birth weight.
These events are due to the presence in the mouth of the bacteria responsible for periodontitis, whose inflammatory action can affect the normal course of pregnancy.
Further studies have shown that tooth decay and a cariogenic oral bacterial flora in the mother increase the risk of tooth decay in the child. Specifically, it has been shown that Streptococcus mutans is transmitted vertically from mother to child.
The role of your trusted dentist:
At this delicate stage in a woman’s life, alongside the gynaecologist, her trusted dentist also plays a decisive role, giving the patient valuable advice to protect the health of her teeth and mouth: for example, recommending foods rich in vitamins, minerals and high-quality nutrients, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoiding excessive amounts of sweets, confectionery and very sugary drinks.
To reduce the risk of tooth decay when nausea and vomiting are frequent, it helps to eat small amounts of nutritious food often and, after vomiting, to rinse the mouth with water in which a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda has been dissolved, to neutralise the acidity in the mouth.
For daily oral hygiene, gentle toothbrushes and non-abrasive fluoride toothpastes are advisable to prevent damage to the tooth surfaces, brushing at least twice a day and using dental floss every day.
It is also recommended to have a dental check-up and a professional dental cleaning, especially if you have not had them in the last six months or if you have particular problems.
Advice for completely safe treatment:
Pregnancy should not be a reason to postpone dental care. It is worth remembering that, when needed, some drugs commonly used in dental treatment (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anaesthetics, antiseptics) are entirely safe for the health of mother and baby. It is important, however, that the dentist is fully informed about any contraindications to the use of medicines.
Diagnostic tests, including any necessary X-rays, can also be carried out safely by taking a few precautions.
For a pregnant woman, the start of the second trimester (from the 14th to the 20th week of gestation) is the safest time for dental treatment: during this period the risk of losing the pregnancy is lower than in the first trimester. Up to the 20th week the bump is still fairly small, and dental treatment can be carried out more comfortably in the chair than later on.
We therefore encourage all expectant mothers to have regular check-ups and follow their dentist’s recommendations, adopting a healthy lifestyle so as not to compromise the health of their mouth or of the baby during pregnancy.
