Dental Health Problems During Pregnancy

Dentist Blog

Women who are pregnant may have a higher risk of developing certain oral health conditions. Here are a few dental health problems that pregnant women sometimes encounter along with suggestions to treat or avoid the conditions. 

Periodontal Disease

Pregnant women often experience gingival problems. In fact, one sign of pregnancy is gums that bleed during brushing and flossing sessions. The bleeding is caused by an increase in the progesterone hormone. 

Progesterone causes the muscles of the body to relax. This helps the uterus avoid untimely contractions that could lead to a miscarriage or a preterm birth. However, that is not the only job of progesterone. It also increases the flow of blood to the tissues. 

Due to the increase in blood flow to the gums, the soft tissues of the mouth become more sensitive and bleed more readily. The heightened gum sensitivity makes the tissues more likely to become inflamed, which leads to gum disease. 

Gum disease that is associated with pregnancy begins as pregnancy gingivitis but may progress to more serious forms of the periodontal condition. To lessen the chance of developing gum disease during pregnancy and to reverse the early stages of the condition, women should brush thoroughly twice daily and floss at least once daily. In addition, pregnant women should visit a dentist regularly for dental cleanings. 

Dental Decay

During the early months of pregnancy, many women suffer from morning sickness. The condition, which causes nausea and vomiting, may also incite tooth decay.

Tooth decay occurs as the tooth enamel is exposed to acids. The source of tooth decay is usually oral bacteria. However, other acids, such as those in carbonated drinks and citrus foods, can also cause decay.

When a woman with morning sickness vomits, the contents of the stomach, which include gastric acid, flow into the mouth. The gastric acid can eat away at the tooth enamel to cause cavities to form.

To avoid dental decay from morning sickness, pregnant women should rinse the mouth with a solution of baking soda and water immediately after vomiting. The alkaline pH of the baking soda will help neutralize the decay-causing stomach acids in the vomit. 

It is best to avoid immediately brushing the teeth without increasing the pH of the mouth first. The tooth enamel becomes softened by the acids, and brushing immediately could cause the tooth material to erode in its softened state.

For more information, visit a website such as http://westlakesfamilydental.com/.

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6 October 2017