Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in a woman’s life and should be nurtured with utmost care to maintain perfect overall health for both baby and mother. It may be surprising to know that it is as important as for a pregnant lady to visit a dentist as she visits an obstetrician. To augment this fact, the leading dentist in Pune explains why oral hygiene should not be ignored during pregnancy and how it can be maintained.
Pregnancy dental care
A right time to visit a dentist is even before a pregnancy is planned so that oral health can be ensured by cleaning, examination of gums for any diseases and treatment, if required.
Pregnancy is a crucial stage where hormonal changes take place and this can easily be a reason for onset of gum diseases and its aggravation if already present. The gum disease that occurs during pregnancy, also known as pregnancy gingivitis, (tender gums that bleed easily) may lead to periodontitis when left untreated and can affect the baby’s growth and development. Apart from pregnancy gingivitis, the other common oral health problems that can be experienced during pregnancy are tooth mobility, erosion, caries, oral gingival lesions.
To avoid the risks involved and to maintain healthy gums and teeth, it is advisable to visit a dental clinic for check up. Undoubtedly, the dentist would come up with a plan to treat and prevent any dental problem that may arise during pregnancy. A dentist generally advises the importance of brushing twice a day, flossing and other additional dental care if required. It is also important for a pregnant woman to disclose the current medications including vitamins that are being taken to the dentist.
A dental treatment is generally not advisable during first and third trimester stage of pregnancy as it may affect the baby’s health. But routine dental treatments like cavity fillings and crowns to reduce pain and infection can be followed during second trimester. Nevertheless, dental emergencies like tooth extraction or root canal may arise at any time during pregnancy and this should be treated immediately as they can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
X-rays (abdomen and thyroid are shielded) to diagnose the problem, anesthesia to treat and medications after treatment may be required for dental care treatment procedures. It is important to assure the patients that they are safe during pregnancy when dental procedures are carried out by experienced dentists.
In a nut shell, it is always advisable to postpone elective dental procedures after the birth of the baby to minimize the exposure of risk that affects baby’s growth and health.
General dental care
• Use fluoridated tooth paste to brush twice a day and floss once a day.
• Visit dentist for preventive dental care and treatment
• Follow the dentist’s advice for right kind of toothpaste or mouth rinses, if morning sickness is experienced during pregnancy.
• Avoid sugary food and eat balanced diet that are rich in vitamins and minerals. All dairy products, fresh fruits, greens and vegetables are recommended during pregnancy for healthier teeth and bones.
One of the leading dentists in Pune stresses that perfect oral hygiene is one of the requisites to experience the blissful moments of pregnancy. And it is absolutely possible to maintain good dental hygiene with simple but effective practices.
Dr. Nitin Oswal
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