PHYSICIANS such as gynaecologists often refer to a dental examination in addition to a history and physical examination prior to pregnancy to assess your overall health, nutritional status, and to determine the presence of any chronic or acute illnesses that might affect the baby’s health.

 Conditions such as malnutrition, high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections could increase the risk of a pre-term birth. In addition, during your physical exam, you will be asked whether you are taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications. Many pharmaceutical agents, even aspirin, have been found to be harmful to the foetus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months).

For all the above reasons, women considering pregnancy should also receive a complete dental check-up. We tend to think of the health of the mouth and its structures as being separate from the health of the body. Researchers are discovering more and more connections between oral diseases and their impact on systemic health. Just as your physician conducts a thorough health evaluation, your dentist will examine your mouth to assess your oral health and determine the presence of any acute or chronic conditions of the intra-oral cavity that may affect your baby’s health.

Pregnancy stresses all aspects of a woman’s health, including her dental health. Preliminary studies have shown that hormones during pregnancy can change the chemical makeup within the mouth. This might result in an increased risk of gum disease if brushing and flossing aren’t performed regularly. Tooth decay may also accelerate more quickly if morning sickness is severe. This is a result of stomach acids lingering in the mouth after vomiting, which can be extremely corrosive to vulnerable teeth. Rinsing the mouth as soon as it can be tolerated is the best way to prevent further damage.

Oral infections during pregnancy not only affect maternal health, but may also pose a health risk to her unborn child. Preliminary research has recently shown that women with gum disease are seven to eight times more likely to deliver premature infants with low birth weights. Scientists believe that the presence of a low-grade infection may influence the body to discharge substances associated with pre-term birth. Often, antibiotics are one of the treatments for infections such as periodontitis, but like all medications, they can cross placental barriers and may affect foetal health. Therefore, dentists prefer to use them cautiously when treating pregnant women.

For most dentists, the approach to dental care in pregnant women is dedicated to maintaining good oral health during pregnancy through preventative measures. More extensive treatment is generally conducted only when it cannot be safely delayed. Dentists use the trimester as a guide in how to proceed in the dental care of their pregnant patients.

During the first trimester, prophylactic treatment-cleaning is generally permissible. However, dental procedures that can wait will generally be postponed until the second trimester. Your dentist may want to examine your mouth for hormonal changes that may result in oral diseases. Procedures that can’t wait or conditions requiring immediate intervention may be carried out at this time. Again, elective procedures should be postponed. Dental care during the third trimester may be carried out, but dental health care professionals must be alert to a condition known as supine hypotensive syndrome. Lying flat for extended periods during the third trimester of pregnancy can compress the major veins and arteries and ultimately may result in loss of consciousness.

Regular dental examinations combined with daily brushing and flossing aren’t just good for oral health. They also help prevent conditions that affect the entire body. If you are considering pregnancy or are already pregnant, don’t forget the importance of professional dental care and good oral hygiene measures. This will never be more important than when two lives are involved during pregnancy.