There are many aspects to consider before having a baby as this process is important, especially for your baby. The thorough checkups you get done before your pregnancy will ensure an easy pregnancy. It is known that using medication during pregnancy is not advisable. For this reason, it would be more suitable to consider planning your pregnancy after having undergone health screenings.
Especially during pregnancy, experiencing dental issues can be quite challenging. It’s probably not hard to imagine how difficult it can be to deal with a decayed tooth that causes pain during pregnancy. For this reason, paying attention to your dental health before getting pregnant is essential. Getting more detailed information about your dental health before pregnancy will guide you on what you need to do.
Why Is Dental Health Important Before Pregnancy?
The hormone levels that increase with pregnancy have some effects on your teeth as well. Because of that, you must form a routine before pregnancy. What are these effects? Let’s explore.
- The increasing hormone levels can increase inflammation in the gums.
- Neglecting regular cleaning of dental plaques, along with inflammation in the gums, can cause tumour formation in the gums.
- Dental treatments that are not done before pregnancy can create the risk of premature birth and miscarriage.
- During the early stages of pregnancy, vomiting episodes and increased acid levels in the mouth can lead to dental problems. Especially before pregnancy with untreated dental issues, the problems increase. Because of these, it is of importance to have an oral care routine before pregnancy.
- Teeth and gums that are not regularly taken care of can turn your pregnancy into a nightmare. Bleeding in gums may increase. Because of that pre-pregnancy dental care is a pretty important issue.
- You will have a different diet during your pregnancy and will be experiencing eating little but more often which will cause you to be more mindful of your dental health. Not taking care of the already existing problems before your pregnancy will further increase the problems.
Dental Treatment Before Pregnancy
If you are planning your pregnancy it is pretty important to get a dental checkup. The decay in your teeth, gum problems, and issues in wisdom teeth should be taken care of before pregnancy. Dental plaques especially should be cleaned regularly.
One of the most important hormones during pregnancy, “progesterone,” will increase even more during this period. This will lead to increased plaque formation on the teeth. Therefore, dental treatment before pregnancy and regular plaque cleaning will become even more important. A decayed tooth causing pain or a problematic gum that constantly bleeds can be quite irritating. Not taking care of these issues beforehand can cause significant problems during your pregnancy.
What Will Your Dentist Do in Pre-Pregnancy Dental Care?
Firstly, you should know the benefits of consulting a field expert. In this sense, it would be sensible to first do some research and then find a suitable dentist for you. Let’s explore what steps your doctor will take.
- Initially, to identify your tooth roots and cavities, your dentist will request a detailed mouth X-ray from you.
- After the X-ray, your doctor will identify and treat any cavities present. They will also identify cavities that extend to the root canal and perform root canal treatment if necessary.
- It would also be sensible to replace previously performed root canal treatments and worn-out fillings. In this respect, if it’s considered suitable to replace the worn-out fillings with new ones, they will also be renewed.
- Any existing bridges in the mouth will be examined for any hygiene-affecting issues. Your doctor may deem it appropriate to replace them if they find that your bridges are worn out.
- Your doctor will apply a treatment to address any diseases and issues in the gums.
- Additionally, the increased hormones during pregnancy will double the existing plaque problem. Therefore, your doctor will also clean your plaques.
- Lastly, it would be beneficial to get oral care recommendations to follow during your pregnancy from your dentist.
What Problems Can Untreated Dental Treatments Before Pregnancy Lead To?
Firstly, you should know that sayings like, “Gain a child, lose a tooth,” which we hear from our mothers and elders, are not accurate. This is because the calcium needed for your baby is first provided by what you consume and then from your bones. So, there is no connection between your teeth and your baby’s calcium needs. Your dental health is important for you. You need to take good care of your teeth for your own health first. Let’s check what kind of problems untreated dental issues before pregnancy can lead to.
- Researchers have found that the “p.gingivalis” bacteria, especially present in saliva and causing infections can reduce the chances of pregnancy.
- The presence of this bacteria reduces the likelihood of getting pregnant by three times. Therefore, it is crucial to have your dental issues taken care of before pregnancy.
- Not getting dental treatments done before pregnancy can lead to issues like premature birth and low birth weight in the baby.
- Additionally, gum problems also increase the risk of premature birth and miscarriage.
The main cause of these factors we’ve listed is known to be gum problems. It’s commonly believed that fluids released from gum problems can trigger premature birth. Of course, it should not be forgotten that more research is needed on this matter.
What Should You Do If You Notice Dental Problems After Getting Pregnant?
Not all pregnancies are necessarily planned. If you didn’t realise you were pregnant and discovered dental issues during this period, it’s advisable to get your treatment done between the 3rd and 6th months of your pregnancy. This is because the first three months of pregnancy are crucial for the baby’s initial development and organ formation. Taking medications or undergoing dental cleaning during this period might not be a healthy option for the baby. However, if you encounter a challenging situation, make sure to consult with your obstetrician before seeing your dentist.
In short, oral care can lead to various issues ranging from conception to the baby’s weight, premature birth, and miscarriage. All these factors are highly important. If you are planning a pregnancy, addressing existing dental and gum problems from the start would be sensible. This is because the hormones released during pregnancy can cause gum sensitivity.
The altered oral structure during pregnancy, combined with previously untreated dental issues, can further complicate matters for you. Dental pain and gum problems can cause significant discomfort even in non-pregnant individuals, let alone a pregnant person. To ensure a comfortable pregnancy, it would be wise to address any dental issues before this period.
