Dental Health, the health of your mouth, is a critical component of your entire health and well-being. Furthermore, it's crucial for your prenatal treatment (medical care you get during pregnancy) if you're expecting a child.
Having oral health problems while pregnant can raise your likelihood of having them, and these disorders can impact your pregnancy. For example, several studies have found a link between gum disease and the risk of having a child prematurely. Premature birth is defined as a birth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, considered too early. Premature newborns may experience more significant health difficulties at birth and later in life than babies delivered at the average gestational age.
Take proper care of your mouth, teeth, and gums while pregnant to ensure a healthy pregnancy and infant.
Gum problems
- Gingivitis (gum infection) is a condition that is most likely to arise during the second trimester of pregnancy. Gum swelling and bleeding are common symptoms that occur most frequently when cleaning or flossing between teeth. Symptoms include:
- Periodontal disease can occur in your mouth during pregnancy that affects the tissues that support the teeth (gums, ligaments, and bone). It is caused by untreated gingivitis, resulting in tooth loss if left untreated.
- Oral epulis, also known as pyogenic granuloma, is a red, spherical tumor that forms on the gums and is easily prone to bruising and bleeding.
If you experience gum problems while pregnant, you must have them evaluated by a dentist before giving birth to your child. While most gum problems caused by pregnancy hormones recover on their own after birth, a small proportion of women may have a more severe form of gum disease that will necessitate further treatment after delivery.
Tooth erosion
If you experience gum problems while pregnant, you must have them evaluated by a dentist before giving birth. Most gum problems caused by pregnancy hormones are resolved after birth, but a small proportion of women may have a more severe form of gum disease that will necessitate treatment after the birth of their child.
Pregnancy tumors
Tumors are not the same as cancer. They're lumps that occur on the gums, commonly between teeth, and can be painful. A pregnancy tumor appears red and rough, prone to bleeding quickly. They can be brought on by an excessive amount of plaque (a sticky film containing bacteria that forms on teeth). These tumors typically disappear on their own after a woman has been birthed. Your health care professional may need to remove them in some situations.
Final Thoughts
During pregnancy, the need for dental care is often overlooked or misunderstood by physicians, dentists, and pregnant women. Guidelines for evidence-based practice are still in the process of being created. It is recommended that every pregnant woman be checked for oral hazards, advised on maintaining good dental health, and referred for dental treatment. Dental operations such as diagnostic radiography, periodontal therapy, restorations, and extractions are safe and should be performed during the second trimester of pregnancy if the patient is healthy. To find out more, don’t be afraid to ask your dental professionals at Tooth Heaven
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