PROBABLY at no time in a woman’s life do her teeth need more conscientious care than during pregnancy. This will not only help reduce dental disorders that are exaggerated during pregnancy, but it will also ensure that the unborn child has good general and dental health. Good oral health is achieved by regular brushing, flossing, eating a balanced diet, and professional checkups.

Studies show most pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis, a condition that causes red, inflamed, and bleeding gingival (gums) during pregnancy. It occurs because dental plaque, a bacterial build-up associated with tooth decay, accumulates on the teeth and irritates the gingival tissues. It occurs more frequently during pregnancy because there is an increased level of hormones in a pregnant woman’s body. The higher levels of hormones exaggerate the way the gum tissue reacts to the increased hormone level, which is the major cause of gum disease. Keeping your teeth particularly clean during pregnancy, especially near the gum line, will help dramatically to reduce or even prevent gingivitis during pregnancy.

One myth I have heard mothers repeat is that during pregnancy their teeth get ‘soft’ and are more prone to decay. What really happens is these mothers get pregnancy gingivitis. Since the decay progress begins with plaque, their teeth are more susceptible to decay. It is normal for pregnant women to want to snack frequently between meals, which in turn exposes their teeth to repeated acid attacks on the tooth enamel. Many people do not realise that each time they eat, acid attacks the tooth enamel for 20 minutes. The increased hormone levels of a pregnant woman cause plaque to become more of a gum irritant. This is a really good reason to be particularly concerned about keeping your teeth brushed with a fluoride and plaque retardant toothpaste and flossed.

Concern for your child’s teeth should begin when he/she is still in the womb. Your baby’s teeth begin development as early as six weeks into the pregnancy and start to calcify between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. These developing teeth need vitamins A, C, and D, minerals, calcium, and phosphorus. Expectant mothers have a responsibility not only to their own health but also to the health of their unborn baby. If you are an expectant mother, you should be aware of the special needs of both your own and your child’s teeth. This means you need to eat the right foods. The simplest way to assure good nutrition is to eat a well-balanced diet, with foods from each of the four major food groups. These major food groups are bread and cereal; fruits and vegetables, dairy products; and meat or fish. The recommended diet for pregnant women usually includes three servings of dairy products, two to three servings of meat, poultry, or fish, six or more servings of bread, grains or cereals, three or more servings of vegetables, and at least two servings of fruit.

Food cravings frequently include sugary snacks. Soft, sticky, sweet foods such as cakes, candies, and dried fruit are especially harmful because they stick to teeth, which prolong the acid attack. Substitute for sweets more wholesome foods such as cheese, fresh fruits, or vegetables. They are better for your teeth and provide more of the nutrients your baby needs.

Another myth believed by many people is that calcium is lost from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy. This is not true. The calcium your baby needs comes from your diet, not your teeth. It is true, however, that if your calcium intake is inadequate your body will provide this mineral by taking it from your bones. Since the primary source of calcium is either dairy products or supplements it is important for you to consult with your physician to be sure you are getting enough calcium during pregnancy.

It is best to schedule your dental visit during the fourth to sixth month of pregnancy. Be sure to let your dentist know you are pregnant when you see him for your regular checkup (which should not be neglected because of pregnancy). Most dentists include a question about pregnancy on their health history forms. If it is necessary to see him for an emergency be sure to let him know you are pregnant when you call to make an appointment. Many dentists will want to consult with your physician before any treatment is started. Stress, past miscarriages, or the use of certain drugs can all have an influence on the approach and timing your dentist chooses to take in attending to your dental needs.
The first three months of pregnancy are thought to be of greatest importance in the unborn child’s development. For this reason, X-rays, dental anaesthetics, pain medications, and antibiotics are usually not prescribed during the first trimester, unless absolutely necessary. Most antibiotics, pain medications, and anaesthetics come with a standard warning that the drug should not be used during pregnancy without the advice of a physician. Tetracycline is a drug that will cause the unborn baby’s teeth to be grey in colour. Women who could possibly be pregnant or who are in early pregnancy should consider this fact carefully before taking such a drug.