During pregnancy, there are many things to consider to optimise your health and wellbeing – not only for yourself, but for your baby as well. It can be a stressful time, so adding a pregnancy oral healthcare issue into the mix is usually the last thing anyone would want to be concerned about.

Here at Newmarket Family Dental Care, we have outlined the more common pregnancy oral healthcare issues that can arise during pregnancy, and what you can do to ensure you are safe-guarded against these during this important phase in your life.

Pregnancy oral healthcare  | Newmarket Family DentistPregnancy gingivitis

Approximately half of pregnant women have swollen, red and tender gums that bleed when flossed or brushed. If you are experiencing this gum inflammation, you may have pregnancy gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Pregnancy gingivitis is partly caused by hormonal changes that make your mouth and gums more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque. Pregnancy gingivitis is unlikely to be harmful to you or your baby, especially if you are practising good dental hygiene. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease.

If you are concerned that you may have pregnancy gingivitis, you can book an appointment to see our dentist or oral health therapist for a screening and clean.

Tooth decay

There can be a number of reasons for increased tooth decay while pregnant. The requirement of more nutrients as the baby develops can result in more frequent snacking, which can increase the risk of tooth decay for expectant mothers, due to frequent falls in oral pH.

Additionally, due to morning sickness that many women experience in the first trimester, the acid generated through vomiting and reflux can significantly weaken the enamel contributing to erosion and sensitivity issues of the dentition.

Dysgeusia (Changing taste)

During pregnancy, you may experience symptoms of dysgeusia – changing taste buds or a bad taste, often described as a ‘metallic taste’ in the mouth. Fortunately, this condition resolves after pregnancy and is basically harmless, but it can be annoying for a pregnant woman who is trying to eat well to maintain good dental hygiene and prevent cavities if the foods she usually eats appear to have changed in taste!

Pyogenic Granulomas (pregnancy tumours)

Like pregnancy gingivitis, pregnancy granulomas occur as an exaggerated  response to the dental plaque causing irritation of the gums (gingiva) – this response is driven by the changing hormonal levels. Pyogenic granulomas present as a growth between the teeth, but rest assured they are not actually tumours and resolve after pregnancy when hormone levels have returned to normal. Keeping the teeth and gums clean is important to prevent these from occurring.

Pregnancy oral healthcare | Newmarket Family Dentist

Local anaesthetics while pregnant

As a general rule, dentists avoid non-essential treatment during pregnancy – although hygiene appointments are extremely important. That said, if you’re pregnant and need a filling, root canal or tooth extracted, one thing you don’t have to worry about is the safety of the numbing medications your dentist may use during the procedure. They are safe for both you and your baby.

X-Rays during pregnancy

Like local anaesthetics, dentists will generally avoid non-essential x-rays during your pregnancy. That being said, it is considered quite safe to have an X-ray during pregnancy if required. These days the radiation dose from dental radiographs is extremely low – even multiple x-rays still produce a lower radiation dose than a flight over to Aussie! A lead shield is another option if an x-ray is required during pregnancy –  this blocks x-rays over the stomach area.

What can I do to ensure a optimal oral hygiene and avoid any pregnancy oral healthcare issues?

Thanks to morning sickness, a more sensitive gag reflex and tender gums, brushing and flossing twice a day can sometimes fall by the wayside or feel too exhausting to deal with.

During pregnancy however it is particularly important to keep up your dental care routine, because lack of oral hygiene which culminates in gingivitis or tooth decay during pregnancy can have an associated with premature delivery, growth restriction, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

Ensuring you are eating a well-balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly will help to reduce any pregnancy oral healthcare problems that may arise.

If you would like to discuss any concerns you have in further detail, please get in touch with us by calling the clinic or booking an appointment.