Dentist during pregnancy - truth and myths

Dentist during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and haven't had time to get your teeth treated before, don't delay. Healthy teeth and gums are important not only for you, but also for your baby. This is because bacteria spread with blood throughout the body and reach the fetus through the placenta. They can cause intrauterine infections and serious complications.

It is estimated that about 18% of preterm births and births ending in low birth weight babies are associated with periodontal disease and inflammation of the mother's mouth. Therefore, special importance is given to proper prevention and treatment.

Do teeth break down more during pregnancy?

Deterioration of teeth during pregnancy is primarily hormonal. The concentration of hormones increases the permeability of capillaries, which leads to gum swelling and bleeding. Pain and swelling cause us to brush our teeth gently and less carefully. Food and blood residues remain in the interdental spaces, which are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Plaque and tartar develop, and then it's the shortest way to the development of caries.
The severity of carious lesions during pregnancy is mainly due to oral hygiene neglect, increased appetite, frequent snacking on high-carbohydrate foods.
So it's not the problem that the developing baby deprives mom of valuable minerals. Demineralization of enamel is more the effect of vomiting, which occurs in the early stages of pregnancy in more than half of women. The impact of low pH gastric juice unfortunately has an adverse effect on the hard tissues of the teeth.

Can teeth be treated during pregnancy?

If visits are planned, it is better to go to the dentist in the second trimester of pregnancy. Of course, in this case we are not talking about acute conditions that require immediate action. Inflammation of the gums, periosteum or abscesses can be a threat to the baby, cause miscarriage or premature birth.
Similarly, you can not leave a tooth that requires root canal treatment. If you do not get rid of the infection, you will lead to the spread of inflammation. Dentistry uses endometers for root canal treatment to measure the length of the canal and fill it without taking x-rays.

X-ray of teeth

Especially in the first trimester, radiation can have a harmful effect on the fetus. Fortunately, today's digital techniques make it possible to reduce radiation to a minimum. Therefore, if dental x-rays become a necessity, digital radiovisiography can be performed.

Anesthesia at the dentist during pregnancy

Anesthesia in pregnancy. Certainly, treatment under general anesthesia should not be performed. The use of local anesthetics in pregnant women is safe. The pregnant woman should inform the doctor about this fact, then the correct anesthetic is selected. In pregnant women, anesthesia without vasoconstrictors is used.

Professional teeth cleaning

It is most advisable also during pregnancy. Hygienization treatments - removal of plaque, plaque and tartar protects against the growth of bacteria and the formation of caries. There are scalers, sandblasters, polishing brushes to choose from, and none of the methods have a negative effect on the fetus.

Teeth whitening

It is not advisable in pregnant women due to the lack of studies on the safety of this treatment in pregnancy.