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916-786-4TMJ
Advanced Dental Concepts
916-786-4865
So you're having a baby? Great!
Are your teeth at risk during your
pregnancy?
What about the craving for things sweet and gooey?
What types of dental procedures are considered safe during
pregnancy?
Are X-Rays necessary?
What are the best early feeding habits to establish?
All About Our Teeth
Are your teeth at risk during your pregnancy?
The old myths that your teeth are drained of calcium during pregnancy, or that you'll
loose a tooth, are just that - myths. These and other old wives' tales suggest a need to
learn the facts about maintaining healthy teeth and gums during this time.
Your daily oral hygiene practice is very important in this regard. Because of changes in
hormone levels, your gum tissues are more sensitive to the effects of plaque. This is the
invisible , sticky layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. With an
increased sensitivity , there is also an increased possibility of gingivitis, an infection
of the gums marked by redness, tenderness and frequent bleeding. Gingivitis reportedly
occurs in 60 to 75 percent of all pregnant women.
If undetected, gingivitis can lead to more serious periodontal diseases. Some women may
experience unhealthy gums during pregnancy. Fortunately for those women, once the hormone
levels decrease after delivery, more healthy gum tissues should return.
Daily maintenance of the teeth through brushing and flossing, particularly at the gumline,
helps keep plaque levels low and reduces the chance of infection.
If your teeth are plaque-free at pregnancy's onset and a good daily
cleaning program is maintained, your chances of being troubled by gingivitis are greatly
reduced.
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What
about the craving for things sweet and gooey?
The bacteria in plaque feeds on sugars and to produce damaging acids. This attacks tooth
enamel and begins the decay process. With an increased desire for snacks or unusual foods
during pregnancy, acid could be attacking your teeth all day long. Therefore, several
measures need to be taken to fight decay.
In addition to increased brushing, even after every snack, reduce the
number of snacks and avoid foods or beverages high in sugar. Select snacks such as nuts,
cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt and popcorn. If you must indulge, sugary foods are
best eaten at mealtimes followed by proper oral hygiene.
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What types of dental procedures are
considered safe during pregnancy?
An expectant mother is well advised to plan routine visits with her dentist during
pregnancy. Monitoring of oral hygiene is a safeguard to prevent more serious conditions
from occurring during a time when elective treatment may pose certain risks.
Most experts agree that essential procedures can be safely done at any time during
pregnancy. These include fillings and crowns, extractions, gum treatment and continuation
of orthodontic treatment. The counsel of your physician should be sought to insure that
all health factors are considered prior to any decision in this area.
The first trimester is the most critical for the healthy development of your baby's
organs. Other than a good plaque control program, no elective dental treatment,
particularly surgery, should be conducted during this time. Only emergency care should be
considered.
Routine dental care to control active disease or eliminate potential problems that could
increase in severity later in the pregnancy, or immediately thereafter, should be
scheduled for the second trimester. Pregnant women usually experience the greatest sense
of well-being during this time.
Once past the middle of the third trimester, elective care should be deferred due to your
increased physical discomfort. Prolonged chair time is best avoided, and routine dental
visits should be short, in a semi-reclining or upright position, with ample opportunity to
change position.
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Are X-Rays necessary?
Although the amount of radiation is minimal, we suggest that routine X-rays be postponed
until after delivery. However, should an emergency dental procedure become necessary,
x-rays are needed for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Our procedures insure the safety
of both mother and fetus. The use of protective lead apron, limiting the type of films
taken and using high-speed film are routine in the case of a pregnant patient. With these
precautions, an emergency x-ray will have no adverse effect on either mother or child.
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What are the best early feeding habits to establish?
Good nursing and feeding habits contribute to healthy teeth and gums in a child. A baby's
teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Nursing decay, more
commonly called nursing bottle mouth or baby bottle tooth decay, is a condition that can
destroy primary teeth in infants and young children.
This condition occurs in both bottle and breast fed infants. It is
produced by certain feeding practices that should be avoided. The following important
advice will help protect your child's early teeth.
After teeth appear DO:
Wipe your baby's teeth and gums after each feeding with a damp wash
cloth, soft infant toothbrush or gauze pad to remove plaque.
Give your child only a clean pacifier of a bottle filled with cool water
if come comfort is necessary at bed time, naps or between meals.
Make sure adequate fluoride is provided for your baby through your water
supply. If not, your dentist, pediatrician or family doctor may suggest a supplement.
When breast feeding avoid frequent feedings.
After teeth appear, DO NOT:
Put your child to bed with a bottle containing mild, formula, fruit
juices or sweetened liquids. These contain carbohydrates that cause the bacteria in plaque
to produce acids. Prolonged contact with these decay causing acids can destroy your
child's teeth.
Dip your child's pacifier in any sweet liquid.
Give your child sugar water, sweetened gelatin, fruit juices or soft
drinks in nursing bottles.
Breast feed for very long periods of time.
Consult your physician to help determine when your child discontinue
drinking from a bottle or breast feeding. As your baby grows, so will the number of foods
that he or she is allowed to have. Avoid adding sweeteners to early strained food, or
using teething biscuits or snack foods with high amounts of sucrose. Soft vegetables,
fruits, and crackers or biscuits without sucrose are recommended. Although every one wants
to please baby, it is best to avoid sticky, slowly dissolving candy, cake, cookies, soda
pop and raisins. One of the greatest contributing factors to tooth decay is the frequency
of eating rather than the actual food your child eats. |
