Common Dental Problems During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a lot changes, including your dental care. Being pregnant can greatly affect your oral health, which is why your dental care has to change to keep a healthy smile. If you’re pregnant, this is what you need to know about changes to your dental care. 

Pregnancy and Dental Care

Pregnancy puts a lot of wear and tear on your body, including your teeth. This is due to a number of factors, including changes in hormone levels and the way that you absorb calcium. Unfortunately, when you’re pregnant, you could be more susceptible to developing dental health problems that can affect both you and baby. 

To keep dental care changes to a minimum, your dentist might recommend that you schedule an appointment at least once per trimester. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to ensure that everything is being protected during pregnancy.

During Pregnancy  Your hormonal levels go up during pregnancy, which can increase the amount of plaque on

Common Dental Problems During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you’re more likely to develop the following dental conditions:

Cavities

A cavity is a damaged area on the surface of your teeth. When pregnant, you are more likely to develop a cavity. Unfortunately, you can pass the bacteria that causes cavities to your baby during pregnancy and after birth. This can cause problems for your baby’s teeth later in life.

Gingivitis 

Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, is inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more serious form of gum disease, known as periodontitis. When pregnant, the pregnancy hormones increase your risk for gingivitis. Sixty to 75 percent of pregnant women have gingivitis. Signs and symptoms include:

• Redness and swelling
• Tenderness in the gums
• Bleeding of the gums, even when you brush your teeth gently
• Shiny gums

Periodontal disease

As briefly explained above, if gingivitis is untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease (periodontitis). This is a serious infection in the gums and problems with the bones that support the teeth. You may begin to have your teeth become loose and they may need to be extracted.

Loose teeth

Increased levels of progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy can temporarily loosen the tissues and bones that keep your teeth in place. This can lead to your teeth becoming loose.

Pregnancy tumors

First, these tumors are not cancerous. They’re lumps that form on the gums, usually between teeth. Pregnancy tumors look red and raw, and they bleed easily. They can be caused by having too much plaque (a sticky film containing bacteria that forms on teeth). These tumors usually go away on their own after giving birth. In rare cases they may need to be removed by your healthcare provider.

Tooth erosion

If you have vomiting from morning sickness, your teeth are then exposed to stomach acid. This acid can attack and weaken the enamel (the hard surface) of your teeth. Morning sickness (also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or NVP) is nausea and vomiting that happens during pregnancy, usually in the first few months.

Caring For Your Teeth During Pregnancy 

If you’re pregnant, you can decrease your risk for dental problems by following these tips from the American Dental Association:

1. Brush thoroughly with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
2. Floss between your teeth daily.
3. Purchase products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
4. Eat a balanced diet. If you snack, do so in moderation.
5. Visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning and check-up.
6. If you need help controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend rinsing at night with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
7. If you have morning sickness and are vomiting frequently, try rinsing with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water to stop stomach acid from attacking your teeth.

If you’re pregnant and have any of the above dental problems, contact your doctor or dentist right away. They can recommend treatment to help protect both you and your baby.

When Do Dental Problems Affect Baby?

Over the years, studies have shown that there is a strong connection between gum disease and premature birth. Researchers have found that pregnant women with chronic gum disease were up to 7x more likely to deliver prematurely (before week 37) and have underweight babies than mothers with healthy gums. Mothers with the most severe periodontal disease delivered the most prematurely, at 32 weeks.

Keep a Healthy Smile While Pregnant with Stonebrook Family Dental

Your health is important, and your teeth are an integral part of your body. If you would like to learn more about caring for your teeth during pregnancy or how we can help maintain a healthy smile while pregnant, please contact us at Stonebrook Family Dental in Aurora, CO. We are proud to be a leading family dentist in the area!