The document provides recommendations for managing dental care during pregnancy. It divides pregnancy into three trimesters. For the first trimester, it recommends limiting treatment to emergency care and avoiding routine x-rays due to risk of stress and teratogens. For the second trimester, it states this is the safest period for dental care as organ development is complete. For the third trimester, it recommends avoiding routine treatment in the later stages due to discomfort. It provides tips for oral hygiene and addressing common issues like gum problems and vomiting during each trimester.

1. Management of Pregnant Patients
Bunyi, Bien Racquel Cathleen
Torres, Kathleen
DMD3-A

2. First trimester (conception to 14th week)
 most critical and rapid cell division and active organogenesis occur
between the second and the eighth week of post-conception
 greater risk of susceptibility to stress and teratogens
 educate the patient about maternal oral changes
during pregnancy
 emphasize strict oral hygiene instructions
 limit dental treatment to periodontal prophylaxis and
emergency treatment
 avoid routine radiographs
Recommendation

3. Second trimester (14th to 28th week)
 safest period for providing dental care during
pregnancy
 organogenesis is completed
 oral hygiene, instruction, and plaque control
 scaling, polishing, and curettage may be performed if
necessary
 control of active oral diseases, if any
 elective dental care is safe
 avoid routine radiographs
Recommendation

4. Third trimester (29th week until childbirth)
 although there is no risk to the fetus during this trimester, the
pregnant mother may experience an increasing level of discomfort
 it is safe to perform routine dental treatment in the early part of the
third trimester, but from the middle of the third trimester routine
dental treatment should be avoided
 oral hygiene, instruction, and plaque control
 scaling, polishing
 curettage may be performed if
 use routine radiographs selectively and when needed
 short dental appointments with appropriate positioning to prevent
supine hypotension
Recommendation

5. Radiography
Procedure in making radiographs safer for pregnant
patients
 make only the film absolutely essential for diagnosing
the conditions (i.e. root canal therapy, trauma)
 use lead apron shielding
 use long cone
 use proper collimation & shielding
 limited to affected tooth
 care should be used while taking
essential films to eliminate the need for repeated
exposure

6. Causes of dental health problems
 gum problems
 vomiting
 cravings for sugary foods
 retching while brushing teeth

7. Gum Problem
 during pregnancy, the gum problems that occur are not
due to increased plaque, but a worse response to plaque
as a result of increased hormone levels
 switch to a softer toothbrush
 brush your teeth regularly, at least twice every day
 use toothpaste that contains
fluoride to help strengthen
your teeth against decay
Recommendation

8. Vomiting can damage teeth
 gastric reflux (regurgitating food or drink) or the
vomiting associated with morning sickness can coat
your teeth with strong stomach acids
 repeated reflux and vomiting can damage tooth
enamel and increase the risk of decay

9. Recommendation
 don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting
 rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water
 follow up with a fluoridated mouthwash
 if you don’t have a fluoridated mouthwash, put a dab
of fluoridated toothpaste on your finger and smear it
over your teeth

10. Food cravings while pregnant
 a regular desire for sugary snacks may increase
your risk of tooth decay
 try to snack on low-sugar foods instead
 rinse your mouth with water or milk,
or brush your teeth after having
sugary snacks
Recommendation

11. Retching while brushing
 some pregnant women find that brushing their teeth,
particularly the molars, provokes retching
 use a brush with a small head, such as a brush made for
toddlers
 slow down your brushing action
 It may help to close your eyes and concentrate on your
breathing.
 try other distractions, such as listening to music
 if the taste of the toothpaste seems to provoke your gag
reflex, switch to another brand
Recommendation

12. Medication