When you are expecting, you have so much going on around you and your baby. Between check ups, and choosing your birth place, creating your baby’s space in the home and getting ready for the birth itself, it is easy to overlook your teeth. Honestly, dental hygiene can really fall to the bottom of the totem pole as far as priorities during this time. Don’t let going to the dentist fall between the cracks, though. Local Dentist, Dr. April Lee with Lakeside Dentistry says, “During pregnancy, the best thing to do is keep up really good oral hygiene. Flossing is critical: 65% of plaque comes off with brushing and 35% with flossing”.
So, what do you really need to know about visiting the dentist while pregnant? Just a few things to think about:
When should I let my dentist know I am pregnant?
Go ahead and tell your dentist if you think you are expecting when you set up your appointment with them. Also, when you go, let them know how far along you are and if your doctor has given any special instructions or prescribed medications. If you are a high risk pregnancy, you dentist or doctor may wish to postpone a procedure, so be sure to communicate that too. It’s kind of a no-brainer, which is good if you’ve got pregnancy brain.
Will being pregnant affect my teeth?
Many women do not experience discomfort in their mouths during pregnancy. Dental visits and good dental care will keep a handle on any changes that may be happening like a preexisting condition becoming more aggravated.
Some women experience pregnancy gingivitis, which is gum swelling and tenderness. Going in for a cleaning every 3 months instead of 6 months, is recommended by Dr. Lee and supported by the ADA. Flossing is pretty uncomfortable when your gums are swelling and bleeding, but getting a good flossing game on can reverse these symptoms in as little as 7 days.
Did you know expecting mothers are at an increased risk of tooth decay due to the hormone changes going on during pregnancy? When you are feeling morning sickness and/or an increased gag reflex, good dental hygiene can become a real hassle. However morning sickness causes an increase in acid in your mouth, which eats away at your tooth enamel. Try brushing after morning sickness has subsided. Also try using plastic flossers instead of loose floss; it feels like you don’t have to open your mouth as much and you don’t have both hands trying to work around your teeth.
In addition, you might be consuming additional carbohydrates due to morning sickness, which is a good way to keep nausea at bay, but can also cause cavities to form. So be sure to schedule those 3 month cleanings to prevent any problems.
What about Anesthetics?
This one’s a biggie. You are probably wondering about the safety of using anesthetics while pregnant, if you actually need dental work done. It is a good idea to get a doctor’s or midwife’s consent for before numbing for any reason. Most dental anesthetics have been deemed safe by the ADA during pregnancy. Ask your dentist to refrain from using epinephrine. Though there are no human studies on using epinephrine during pregnancy, there have been some complications with the fetus in animal studies. As with any drug, there is a risk and benefit ratio that should be considered.
On a side note, epinephrine is associated with reduced milk production and letdown. Epinephrine also comes out in breast milk. Read more about epinephrine here.
What about X-Rays?
Another question many women ask is whether you can get x-rays done while expecting. The ADA confirms the safety of having dental x-rays done while pregnant. The small amount of radiation from the x-ray machine will be blocked by the lead apron you will don. However, if you are uncomfortable with the idea, talk with your dentist. You should have a risk vs. benefit conversation with them. It is always important to let your concerts be known, so don’t keep those questions inside.
Pregnancy changes such a wide variety of changes in your body, including how to care for your teeth. Now you know what is safe for your oral hygiene while pregnant. You can make choices that you are comfortable with. And that is one less thing to worry about.