Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in the life of women. It’s a harbinger of hope, joy and unbound excitement. So, naturally, the level of care is greater during the period to ensure smooth arrival of the baby. To some, it’s also a phase when lots of doubt surface seeking answers and asking caution on the part of pregnant ladies. Whether or not a burning question comes in the mind of every pregnant women dealing with dental problems that is dental treatment safe during pregnancy, it is something that you must know to approach the most wonderful phase in life with aplomb. The answer is YES! There is no risk whatsoever in undergoing dental work when you’re pregnant. But then, the better your oral health during pregnancy the healthier you baby will be. Things to Keep in Mind During Pregnancy : Dental treatment is safe during pregnancy and you needn’t bother a bit about that. You can get dental treatment done any time during pregnancy without any worry. However, the period between weeks 14 through 20 is perhaps the best time to get done elective dental treatment during pregnancy. Dental treatment during second trimester carries less risk of side effects than on other period. Immediate treatment should be sought for oral pain or swelling without waiting for the right period during pregnancy. It’s important to let the dentist know any prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs you are taking so that right type of medicine can be prescribed for you. You should never worry about the safety of the numbing medications or anesthetic or anesthesia used by your dentist during the procedure as it will always be safe for you, and your baby. And getting an x-ray will be safe during pregnancy You can always consult a top oral surgeon queens if there is problem so that it does not aggravate . #Dentalblogger​ #drrajatsachdeva​ #delhidentist​ #dentaleducation​ #dentalcare​ #analgesics​ #dentistryworld​ #dentalclinicdelhi​ #dentistrylife​ #blogging​ #dentistry​ #dentists​ #dentalcare​ #dentaleducation​ #dentalblogging​ #dentalblogger​ #dentalblog​ #oralhealth​ #oralcare​ #bloggers​ #pregnancy

1. DENTAL HEALTH AND
PREGNANCY
By Dr. Rajat Sachdeva
No one is you and
that is your Power

2. Why Complete Oral Health Is
Important During Pregnancy?
Increased Hormonal Changes in the Body Majorly Deteriorate Body’s Response
Mechanisms
Increased Susceptibility to Dental Plaque and Oral Bacteria
Increased Risk of Developing Oral and Dental Diseases
Spread of Infection from the Mouth to the Body and to the Developing Foetus

3. Two Most Common Dental Issues
During Pregnancy
Dental Caries
(Tooth Decay)
Gingivitis & Periodontitis
(Gum Diseases)

4. Gingival & Periodontal Diseases
• Research has found a considerable link between gingival diseases in
pregnant women and premature, low birth weight babies.
• “Up to 18 out of every 100 premature birth could be linked to severe gum
infection (periodontal disease).”
• Babies who are born prematurely may be at an increased risk of developing
a range of health conditions -- cerebral palsy, brain injuries or hearing and
visual deficits.

5. Gingival Diseases
Signs & Symptoms
• Gingival Inflammation
• Gingival Bleeding, Especially During
Toothbrushing and Flossing
Pregnancy Gingivitis
(First-Second
Trimester)
“Nearly 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease, that
occurs when the gums become red and swollen from inflammation that may be aggravated by
changing hormonal levels during pregnancy.”

6. Periodontal Diseases
Signs & Symptoms
• Loss of Attachment
• Gingival Recession
• Tooth Mobility
• Alveolar Bone Loss
Periodontitis
Infection of the structures supporting the tooth including gums, ligament and bone is known as
“Periodontitis”, caused by undiagnosed or untreated gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss.
Healthy Gums Gingivitis Periodontitis

7. PregnancyTumor?
Pregnancy Epulis /
Pyogenic Granuloma /
Pregnancy Tumor
• Don't let the word ''tumor'' worry you. These growths are not cancerous
and can't spread.
• A pregnancy tumor is an extreme inflammatory reaction to a local
irritation (such as food particles or plaque) that occurs on the gingiva,
mostly during the third trimester.
• The tumors occur in up to 10% of pregnant women and often in women
who also have pregnancy gingivitis.
Red
RoundTissue
Overgrowth
Bleeds Easily
Complicates
Mastication and
Oral Hygiene
Maintenance
Usually
Disappears
After Delivery

8. Dental Caries & Sugar Cravings
• During the first few months of pregnancy, some women may
have extreme interest in snacking, especially processed
carbohydrates and tooth brushing can be neglected after they
eat these kinds of food.
• Saliva flow also decreases. Hence, the formation of caries
increases during this period.
• Women who have a lot of cavity-causing bacteria during
pregnancy and after delivery, can transmit these bacteria from
their mouth to the mouth of their baby.
Increased Sugar
Cravings
Increased Sugar
Consumption
Increased Chances
of Dental Caries

9. Dental Caries & Morning Sickness
Increased
Oral Acidity
Tooth
Erosion
Morning
Sickness
The repeated reflux and associated vomiting can coat the tooth enamel with strong gastric acids and
destroy it, thereby causing increased risk of dental caries during pregnancy.

10. How to Care forYourTeeth
AfterVomiting?
• Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting. While
the teeth are covered in gastric acids, the actions of brushing
may scratch the tooth enamel.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water.
• Follow up with a mouthwash containing fluoride.
• If you don't have a fluoridated mouthwash, put a blob of
toothpaste containing fluoride on your finger and smear it
over your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water afterwards.
• Wait for an hour after vomiting before you brush.

11. Retching or Gagging
While BrushingTeeth?
Some pregnant women find that brushing their teeth, particularly the posterior
teeth, can cause gagging. However, it’s important to brush all of your teeth to
avoid tooth decay.
Some tips to help prevent gagging include:
• Use a toothbrush with a small, soft head such as a brush made for toddlers.
• Take your time. Go slowly when you brush.
• It may help to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
• Try listening to music.
• If the taste of the toothpaste causes you to gag, switch to another brand or
brush your teeth with water and then use a mouthwash containing
fluoride.
• Go back to brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride as soon as you can.

12. HowTo Avoid Dental Problems
During Pregnancy?
Home Oral Care Regimen Consult Your Dentist

13. Home Oral Care Regimen
• Thorough tooth brushing twice a day for two
minutes, using a proper toothbrushing
technique, effectively removes plaque from
the teeth.
• Pregnant women bleed more readily due to
the effect of pregnancy hormones (estrogen,
progesterone) and may consequently avoid
brushing their teeth. As a result, bacterial
plaque increases.
• Therefore, in pregnancy, the mouth needs
utmost care.

14. • Tooth brushing, alone, only cleans 60% of the total surfaces of the tooth.
• Cleaning in between your teeth helps to remove plaque and food lodged
between teeth and beneath gingiva.
• These are the areas where toothbrushes cannot reach.
• Interdental brushes and floss help to dislodge the plaque and bacteria,
which may still be present in interdental spaces after thorough tooth
brushing.
• Gargling with non- alcohol based mouthwashes or warm salty water help to
remove any lingering, loosened debris.
• Warm saline rinses relax the gums and reduce gingival sensitivity.
• Fluoride mouthwashes can help prevent tooth decay.
• Therefore, flossing and mouth rinsing must be performed at least once daily.

15. Which Toothpaste To Be Used?
• American Dental Association (ADA)
recommends using a fluoridated
toothpaste as it helps to prevent dental
caries.
Which Toothbrush To Be Used?
And When To Be Replaced?
• A small sized brush head that can reach
into all parts of the mouth, having soft,
multi-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles.
• Soft bristle tooth brush helps to prevent
abrasion of teeth & gingival recession.
• ADA recommends replacing toothbrush
every three to four months or even
sooner if the bristles are frayed.

16. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
• Periodontal inflammation and destruction increases in
patients who smoke.
• The possibility of abortion or stillbirth or premature low-
birth weight babies increases among smokers.
• Over-consumption of alcohol is teratogenic in babies and
can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and various dental
anomalies.
• Smoking & alcohol have hazardous effects on the
developing foetus as well as on the expectant mother
and must be avoided under all circumstances.

17. Follow A Balanced Diet
• Especially rich in Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B12,
Vitamin C and Vitamin D.
• Calcium helps to protect your bones and fulfill
the needs of your developing baby.
• Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese,
plain yoghurt or sugar-free fruit yoghurt,
calcium-fortified soy, almond or other types of
milk, almonds.
• Vitamin D helps the body to utilize
calcium. Good food sources of vitamin D include
some fatty fish, eggs, vitamin D fortified milk,
breads and cereals.
• Your doctor may even prescribe you vitamin
supplements.

18. Go Easy On Sugary Snacks
• Avoid in-between meal snacking especially refrain
from refined and processed carbohydrates, sugary
foods and frizzy beverages.
• Such food items are known to have higher risk of
tooth decay.
• Try to snack on foods low in added sugar or fresh
fruits instead.
• Rinse your mouth with mouthwash containing
fluoride or brush your teeth after having sugary
snacks.

19. Why Consult a Dentist?
For Prevention and / or Timely
Management of Complicated
Oral Health Issues by :
• Routine Dental Check-ups
• Prophylactic Scaling
• Preventive Restorations
• Fluoride Therapies

20. Emergency Dental Issues
During Pregnancy &TheirTreatment
• Undiagnosed or untreated periodontal
diseases can lead to tooth loss and subsequent
bone loss which can be treated by
reconstructive and regenerative surgeries.
• Initial dental caries can progress to deep
carious lesions necessitating endodontic
therapies or in worst cases, may require tooth
extraction followed by prosthetic
rehabilitation.
• Pregnancy tumor may need to be excised
surgically.

21. DentalTreatments & Myths
During Pregnancy
• The benefits of receiving dental care during
pregnancy far outweigh the potential risks.
• The safest time to undergo dental treatment --
Second Trimester of Pregnancy.
• Emergency Dental Procedures -- Tooth Extraction
And Root Canal Treatment -- can be performed
following strict protocols.
• Elective Dental Procedures -- Bleaching, Veneering,
Cosmetic Surgeries -- should be postponed until after
the delivery.