Pregnancy and Oral Hygiene

The First Trimester Organs and systems are formed Fetus is most susceptible to malformation during this period Remainder of fetal development is devoted to growth and maturation

Fatigue is a common finding during the first trimester This can lead to syncope (fainting) During the second trimester, women have a sense of well-being and few symptoms The second trimester is the best time to have dental work done also During the third trimester, women have increasing fatigue and discomfort

Fun Facts: All of your baby’s organs are formed during the first trimester. The baby’s teeth develop as buds between the fifth and sixth week. Their lips form during the fourth to seventh week.

Things to be aware of: Ideally, no medications should be used during pregnancy, ESPECIALLY tetracycline. Tetracycline causes staining of the tooth structure. Tylenol is the drug of choice during pregnancy.

The most common complication of pregnancy is pregnancy gingivitis. This is when your gums become inflamed and red 50-70% of women develop this during their pregnancy Meticulous oral hygiene will help ( brushing, flossing, fluoride, mouth rinses, routine dental visits)

In approximately 1% of women, the response may result into a pyogenic granuloma or “pregnancy tumor” This is a isolated, round, soft enlargement near the gums, it has a purplish-red color. Will usually go away after giving birth

Gingival Hyperplasia This is when your gingiva (gums) become inflamed by the hormone imbalances during pregnancy. It becomes apparent around the second month and persist until the baby is born and then the gingival tissues usually return to normal, provided proper oral hygiene has taken place. Pregnancy doesn’t cause periodontal disease but may modify and worsen what is already present. That is why oral hygiene is so IMPORTANT!!

Pregnancy predisposes you to an increased appetite and often a craving for unusual foods. This can affect your teeth causing cavities if not taken care of. CAVITY PROCESS= tooth+ bacteria+food (carbs/sugar)  acid= DECAY= CAVITIES!! Good nutrition is important! Milk for calcium( 3-4 servings a day), protein (2-3 servings a day), iron (27 milligrams a day), vitamin C ( 3 servings of fruit or vegetables a day), vitamin A to prevent preterm birth. Fluoride is important to remineralize your teeth where demineralization has occurred. Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth!

Pregnant women have a sensitive gag reflex This with morning sickness may cause episodes of regurgitation, potentially leading to enamel erosion. If you do have this, you need to rinse after regurgitation with a solution (baking soda and water) that neutralizes the acid. Wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth!

Now I will show you how to properly brush and floss! Brush two times a day for two minutes each Floss everyday! If these steps are neglected then gingivitis (pregnancy gingivitis), periodontal disease (occurs if gingivitis continues, its when the bacteria travel under the gums and cause bone destruction), and cavities can occur.

Any questions??