Why Dental Care Is Important During Pregnancy

Dental care is especially important during pregnancy, and our specialists at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic emphasize its significance. Many women tend to overlook their oral health during this time, but it is crucial not to neglect it.

Issues like cavities and gum disease should not be overlooked during this period and it is important to find the right products to use, for keeping your teeth white and strong. It is important to understand that this won’t only keep the mom healthy but will also prevent risks associated with the birth like premature birth or low weight of the baby.

This being said it is important that during this journey you keep both yourself and the baby healthy. In this blog post, we will talk about the effects of pregnancy and dental care and what can be done to reduce these risks.

We hope that after reading this article, you will make better decisions and give the proper attention to this important aspect of your health. Additionally, keep in mind that finding the right dentist in Albania is crucial, as personalized care and treatment will be necessary throughout these nine months.

Why Pregnancy Requires Extra Attention To Oral Health

We know that pregnancy can be a pretty exciting journey and we wish each one of our patients here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic a happy and healthy birth. As you might know during the course of 9 months our body is affected by a lot of changes and this includes our oral health also. 

According to several studies, during this period mothers are more prone to develop cavities and suffer from gum disease. Hormonal changes may intensify the body’s response to bacteria leading to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and more severe gum disease. up to 75% of pregnant women might have or develop gingivitis.

If you don’t take the right measurements to deal with gingivitis at the right time you could risk potential tooth loss. The first symptoms that you should look out for include inflamed and swollen gums. Neglecting it will lead to low birth weight and even potential preterm birth. 

The connection between gingivitis and increased pregnancy risk is still not clear and other studies are being done to find the right link. However, besides this, the connection is clear enough for you to do your best to avoid it. 

Additionally, during pregnancy, the mouth will experience several changes due to hormones, morning sickness, and cravings. This will lead to a drier mouth and high acidic levels, which will increase the risk of cavities, decay, or more serious dental problems. 

Since there is an increase in hormones during pregnancy, you could also experience loose teeth since the tissue that holds them in place will start to weaken. 

Another oral issue that can happen during pregnancy is tumors. The good news is that they are benign and won’t cause pain just discomfort. They are small cysts that can be formed in the gum line or between the teeth.

Hormonal Changes And Their Impact On Oral Health

Pregnancy hormones will affect every part of a woman’s body including the mouth. However many are not aware of these effects. 

Furthermore, we will explain how the hormone fluctuations will affect the oral health of the mother and the baby. 

Increased Risk Of Gum Disease

Women who take progesterone birth control pills or are pregnant may be more vulnerable to gum disease and poor gum health due to higher levels of the hormone progesterone. 

Progesterone stimulates prostaglandin synthesis, which results in gum tissue blood vessel irritation. Because of the increased progesterone levels during pregnancy, these blood vessels enlarge, increasing the vulnerability of the gums to germs.

Gingivitis which is another name for gum infection is more prone to happen during the second trimester. If you notice redness, sensitivity swelling, or bleeding then it is time to contact a dentist in Albania.

In order to reduce the irritation it is recommended to switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush since it will be gentle on the gums and avoid further irritation. Although bleeding can still happen when you brush and floss, this should not stop you from taking care of them.

If you delay treatment, gingivitis will progress further and will lead to periodontal disease. The damage done in this stage of the illness will be irreversible and it will even reach the jawbone. 

Although after pregnancy your mouth will get back to normal, it is still advised to have regular checkups with your dentist. This is important because the issue will continue to progress and more invasive treatments will be necessary. 

The Appearance Of Pregnancy Epulis

Pregnancy epulis is another dental issue that can arise during pregnancy. This is a condition where small growths will develop between the teeth, in the gums area. 

The cause of this condition is excess bacterial plaque and they are benign so they are not a serious threat to you or the baby. These small growths will be red in color and when pressure is applied they will bleed easily. 

Usually, pregnancy epulis will start to develop during the second trimester, and after birth, they will go away on their own. However in some cases, this won’t happen and the dentist will need to remove them for you, in a surgical way.

Problems Caused By Morning Sickness

During the first trimester, women experience many changes, and morning sickness is just one of them. The increase of estrogen and progesterone will cause nausea and vomiting and besides being an unpleasant experience it will also affect your oral health.

This is due to the fact that the acids that are brought back up from the vomiting will damage the tooth enamel. If this period lasts for a long time then this will even lead to tooth decay.

The best way to avoid these issues is to take good care of your teeth during pregnancy. If you experience morning sickness during the first trimester, it’s recommended to wait before brushing your teeth, as the combination of stomach acid and brushing can cause further damage to the enamel.

Teeth Damaging Cravings

As you might have heard or experienced, women often have different cravings during pregnancy. While some may crave sugary foods, others may prefer highly acidic foods. 

If sugar or acid remains on the tooth surface for too long, it can lead to enamel erosion and promote bacterial growth. For this reason, it is important to maintain oral hygiene by rinsing the mouth with water and brushing the teeth about 20 minutes afterward.

Some of the most common cravings that women have during this period are spicy foods, candy, fruits, etc. However, if your cravings are strange it is a good idea to book a consultation with your doctor since this can be a sign of a deficiency. 

Common Dental Issues During Pregnancy

Cavities

Cavities are one of the most common dental issues that can arise during pregnancy. Also known as tooth decay or caries, they are small holes on the surface of the teeth caused by bacteria accumulation. 

If not treated at the right time, these harmful bacteria will also cause damage to the baby during and after the pregnancy. 

Dental Fillings

If you are dealing with cavities, dental fillings will be the right way to treat them. However, it is important to choose the right material. If you are pregnant, you should avoid dental fillings with mercury including amalgam and silver. 

Amalgam dental fillings are created from a combination of different chemicals and metals and they have a high amount of mercury, which is very toxic. If you are pregnant these harmful chemicals will pass through the placenta and reach the baby.

There have been several studies that indicate that if this happens women can experience a risk of miscarriage, low birth weight in babies, and preeclampsia. Additionally, your baby can also be at potential risk of experiencing damage to the kidneys, brain, or other body organs. 

Due to this we highly advise our patients to avoid amalgam fillings or any type of dental fillings that contain mercury, if they are pregnant or trying to. There are still ways to treat cavities, just ask our dentists in Albania about mercury-free fillings. You will get the same results without risking the health of your baby and yourself. 

Fillings without mercury look the same as your teeth and are composed of plastic with a mix of powdered glass. If the mother already has had their teeth filled then they should remove them, unless the dentist advises to do so. 

Gingivitis

As we mentioned before due to hormonal changes the body will experience during pregnancy, women will be more prone to gum inflammation also known as gingivitis. If neglected, this will lead to periodontitis which is more dangerous and can even lead to tooth loss.

Some of the most common signs that can indicate gum inflammation include:

• Soreness in the gums.
• Frequent bleeding of gums even when light pressure is applied. 
• Swelling and redness of the gum line.
• Shiny gums.

The increase of progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy will cause the gum tissue to loosen and the root of the teeth will be exposed.  It is very important to have regular check ups with your dentist and if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms to find the right treatment. 

Tooth Erosion

Since many women experience morning sickness during the first trimester, their teeth will be exposed to more acid. This acid will affect the teeth and will damage the teeth’ enamel. 

In order to avoid risks and permanent damage, it is advised to wait a while after vomiting. Rinse your mouth with water first and then brush them after 20 minutes. This is important because brushing too soon will make it worse. 

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Dental Problems During Pregnancy?

If you notice any changes in your mouth or are experiencing pain or discomfort in the area it is important to call your dentist. Dental care during pregnancy is very important since women’s bodies will be affected in every aspect. 

Furthermore, we will mention some of the symptoms and signs you should look out for during your pregnancy and when it is important to book an appointment with your dentist. 

• If you notice small lumps or mouth sores in your gums, it is important to have it checked out.
• Bad breath even after you brush and floss. 
• If you start to notice that your teeth are becoming loose.
• Newly created spaces within the teeth.
• Receding, shinny, bleeding, swollen gums. 
• Severe toothache or other unusual pains. 

We highly advise our patients to book a consultation right away if they are feeling any type of pain or unusual swelling in their mouth. Our specialized team of dentists here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic will help you avoid any health issues during pregnancy and help you keep yourself and the baby healthy. 

How Poor Oral Health Can Affect Your Baby

The dental health of the expectant mother will definitely affect the unborn baby’s health. Furthermore, we will explain how will this happen and what can these harmful bacteria cause to the babies:

Excessive oral bacterial growth can enter the bloodstream through the gums and make its way to the uterus during pregnancy. Prostaglandins are substances that are produced in response to this and have the potential to cause preterm labor.

It is possible for you to transfer your bacteria to your infant after giving birth, a process known as vertical transmission. Therefore, you will pass on more acid-loving bacteria to your infant if you dont take the right measures to remove them from your mouth.

Safe Dental Treatments During Pregnancy

Tell your dentist that you are expecting if you have a dental issue that needs to be addressed. You might be able to postpone treatment until after the delivery of your child, depending on your health. Some of the safe treatments to have while pregnant are:

• Medications, such as analgesics and antibiotics for infection treatment. Pregnancy-safe medication is something your dentist may prescribe for you if you are experiencing a dental infection. Don’t forget to always inform your prenatal care provider of any medication that your dentist has prescribed. 
• Local anesthesia is another medicine that will be safe to use while pregnant. This medicine will be used to numb the mouth area from any pain that dental procedures including tooth extraction and mercury-free dental fillings can cause. 

Dental procedures can be done at any point when you are pregnant. If the therapy is something you don’t need to have done right away in order to preserve your health or the health of your unborn child—try to plan it for the second trimester or even after you give birth. 

Oral Health Tips For Expectant Mothers

Here are some of the tips you can follow if you want to keep your mouth healthy during pregnancy:

• Find the right products to take care of your teeth. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and using dental floss at least twice a day will remove any harmful bacteria and will keep the teeth shiny and healthy throughout your pregnancy. 
• Do not neglect regular dental visits. You should not wait until the problems have developed to visit your dentist. It is important to have regular examinations so you will be ready for any dental issue. Also, do not forget to mention to your dentist that you are expecting.
• We know that dental cravings are common due to pregnancy but it is important to be careful with sugar intake. Your diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, minerals, protein, and healthy fibers. Avoiding sugar and eating healthy will not only keep your mouth healthy but also help the baby get the important nutrients.