You Want To Avoid Extensive Restorations

Pregnancy is one of the most important times to see a dentist, and paradoxically, when women tend to visit the dentist the least. Nausea and vomiting may make brushing difficult. The acid from vomit may damage teeth directly, especially the top front teeth. And hormonal and immune system changes during pregnancy make pregnant women more susceptible to a common form of gum inflammation called pregnancy gingivitis. Increased bleeding and gum sensitivity are thought to be a result of higher progesterone levels and the effects of pregnancy on the cardiovascular system. Who feels like going to the dentist? To complicate things further, many dentists are reluctant to treat pregnant women because of unclear guidelines or a lack of experience. The message these women get is, We’ll just wait until you have the baby, which is exactly the wrong message! Dentists and physicians should be encouraging pregnant women to go to the dentist as much as they can. The oral bacteria or its toxins get into the mom’s bloodstream, gaining access to the fetoplacental unit where they can cause a local infection or an inflammatory response. That’s when the lungs and immune system mature. The baby prepares for a life outside its safe, sterile home, where all manner of environmental assaults from bacteria to viruses to toxins are just waiting to attack. Preterm birth is considered to be less than 37 weeks of gestation, and low birth weight is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. That’s double the rate of other industrialized Western countries, like those in northern Europe.

Just For Today

The earlier a baby is born, the more likely it is to have medical and/or oral health problems. However, we have only recently learned about the significant impact of poor oral health and periodontal disease on the timing of birth.16 As discussed earlier, the optimal time for periodontal intervention is before getting pregnant, but as the saying goes, Better late than never. Recent research at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that women who were successfully treated for gum disease during pregnancy had only a 10.5 percent rate of premature birth as compared to 62 percent of the women where treatment was unsuccessful. Periodontal disease has also been identified as a potential cause of low birth weight. Globally, 80 percent of newborns who die every year have low birth weight. It’s not something doctors tend to mention, but oral care truly is an important part of prenatal care. As you’ve read before, the solution is relatively easy. All you need to do is go to the dentist, brush, floss, use safe and effective oral care products, and be aware of the condition of your teeth, gums, and airway. Emergency procedures, however, are typically indicated at all times during pregnancy. This is a good time to consult with your physician if you have any concerns.

Hearts Full Of Soul

During the second trimester, the fetus undergoes tremendous growth and maturation. During this time, the teeth are forming and are susceptible to malformation. Even though you want to avoid extensive restorations and comprehensive treatment during pregnancy, necessary treatment is generally considered safer during the second trimester and the first half of the third trimester. After the first half of the third trimester, you should avoid elective procedures. The health of your mouth doesn’t just matter prenatally for your baby. It affects your baby’s ongoing wellness too! Early on, the bacteria in your mouth will seed your baby’s bacteria. If you have bad bacteria in your mouth, you can pass it on to your baby. For example, transmission of Streptococcus mutans from mother to infant increases the risk of cavities. That even extends to the family pet! They tested everyone in his family to try and find the source of the bacteria ravaging his mouth, but with no luck. Finally, in desperation, they tested the family dog and found the culprit. The dog was the source of the destructive bacteria that was making the child sick. Studies have actually shown that a dog or other pet with good oral health can help a child develop a healthy microbiome! This is not an argument for getting rid of your pet.

Being Alive

However, you should be taking care of their mouth alongside everyone else’s. As discussed earlier, pregnancy can make breathing more difficult and neither the pregnant mother nor the developing fetus can afford any interruption in oxygen. A depleted microbiome can affect a baby’s oral and physical health. It’s just one interesting example of modern medicine working with the complex biology that’s been there all along. Taking care of your mouth is one very important way that you can take care of your baby. The day has finally arrived. You’re holding your precious baby in your arms, studying that little face, checking fingers and toes, and marveling at the magic of it all. How could you have made this fully formed human being? It’s all laid out before you like a tapestry. There’s suddenly so much meaning in every little thing. It’s amazing how many feelings can happen at the same time. While you wonder at the miraculous nature of life, you’re already worrying about all the decisions, the responsibility, and the immense weight of ushering a new life through the world. While you cry with joy, fear is there, too, along with worry and love and sadness and physical discomfort and the most profound sense of peace and contentment you’ve ever felt. One of the first things I learned in my parenting journey was that decisions are hard. Some can come and go with little consequence, while others can change the direction of your baby’s life. Epecially in those first few weeks, it feels impossible to know the difference. Some of the earliest and most meaningful decisions parents make are related to a baby’s oral health and development. And one of the most critical of all is whether or not a mother decides to breastfeed. There are many reasons why a new mother might not be able to breastfeed. It’s like night and day.