Fetal teeth develop between 3-6 months gestation, so it is important for mothers to receive sufficient calcium, protein, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and D through their diet or supplements to support proper tooth development in utero. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can increase risks for dental issues like morning sickness exposing teeth to acidity and increased risk of decay, as well as gingivitis and periodontitis from higher progesterone levels. Regular dental care like brushing, flossing, routine cleanings and treatments are considered safe during pregnancy under a dentist's supervision and can help prevent potential complications for both mother and baby's health.

1.
Protecting
Baby’s
Smile
Fetal
teeth
develop
between
3-­‐6
months
gestation.
[1]
It
is
vital
that
mothers
receive
appropriate
dietary
or
supplemental
intake
of
calcium,
protein,
phosphorous,
and
Vitamins
A,
C,
and
D
for
proper
fetal
tooth
development.
[1
&
6]
References
[1]American
Dental
Association.
(2016).
Pregnancy.
Retrieved
from
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pr
egnancy/concerns
[2]
American
Pregnancy
Association.
(2014).
Pregnancy
and
Dental
Work.
Retrived
from
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregn
anacy-­‐health/dental-­‐work-­‐and-­‐
pregnanacy
3]
Bianco,
A.
(2016).
Maternal
gastrointestinal
tract
adaptation
to
pregnancy
Retrieved
from
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/
maternal-­‐gastrointestinal-­‐tract-­‐
adaptation-­‐to-­‐pregnancy
[4]
Google.
(n.d.).
Google
images.
Retrieved
from
https://www.google.com/imghp
[5]
Lochwood,
C.J.
&
Magriples,
U.
(2016).
Initial
prenatal
assessment
and
first-­‐
trimester
prenatal
care.
Retrieved
fromhttp://www.uptodate.com.pitt.i
dm.oclc.org/contents/initialprenatal-­‐
assessment-­‐and-­‐first-­‐trimester-­‐
prenatalcare?source=search_result&
search=dental+pregnancy&selected
Title=1~150
[6]
March
of
Dimes
Foundation.
(2013).
Dental
Health
During
Pregnancy.
Retrieved
from
http://www.marchofdimes.org/
pregnancy/dental-­‐health-­‐during-­‐
pregnanacy.asapx#
Prenatal
Dental
Care
A
pamphlet
for
Healthcare
Professionals
Jacqueline
M.
Thomas
S.N.
University
of
Pittsburgh
School
of
Nursing
4
4

2.
Morning
sickness
exposes
the
dental
cavity
to
increased
acidity,
making
enamel
vulnerable
to
decay
and
increasing
cavity
risk.
[1]
• Suggest
rinsing
mouth
with
water
or
mouth
wash
if
feeling
too
nauseated
to
brush
teeth
[6]
• If
vomiting
frequently,
brushing
with
baking
soda
and
water
protects
teeth
[1]
• Smaller
meals
might
be
a
great
way
to
combat
nausea,
but
it
exposes
the
teeth
to
more
carbohydrates
and
decay.
Teach
clients
to
consume
less
snacks
and
beverages
with
sugar
and
go
for
more
fruit,
vegetables,
and
dairy
products.
[6]
High
progesterone
levels
predispose
pregnant
women
to
gingivitis
,
or
gum
disease
causing
swollen,
tender
gums,
ulcers,
and
pain.
Proper
dental
hygiene
helps
to
prevent
it,
but
if
untreated,
it
can
become
periodontitis,
a
serious
version
of
gum
disease
[4]
which
has
been
linked
to
preterm
labor
and
low
birth
weight.
[3]
Oral
Changes
with
Pregnancy
&
Preventing
Complications
Complications
and
poor
dental
hygiene
have
been
linked
to
premature
labor,
intrauterine
growth
restriction,
gestational
diabetes
&
preeclampsia.
[6]
Many
dental
procedures
are
safe
during
pregnancy.
X-­‐rays
can
be
done
with
the
abdomen
and
thyroid
appropriately
shielded.
Local
anesthesia,
dental
extraction,
root
canals,
carie
restoration,
and
plague/biofilm
scaling
are
all
safe
during
pregnancy.
[5]
4
Progesterone
increases
oral
vasculature
causing
gums
to
be
more
inflamed,
sensitive,
swollen,
and
tender.
This
along
with
morning
sickness,
exhaustion
and
sensitive
gag
reflex
related
to
pregnancy
can
become
barriers
to
good
dental
hygiene.
[3]
Encourage
clients
to
• make
a
routine
dental
appointment
once
during
pregnancy
and
if
having
dental
problems.
• Brush
twice
daily
with
a
soft-­‐bristled
toothbrush
&
floss
once
daily
• Drink
fluoridated
water
[1]
Assess
clients
for
dental
signs
&
symptoms:
• Bad
breath
that
doesn’t
go
away
• Gums
that
hurt
when
touched
or
bleed
during
brushing
• Loose
teeth
• Mouth
sores,
lumps,
or
other
growths
• Red
or
red-­‐purple
gums
• Shiny,
sore
or
swollen
gums
• Toothache
or
other
pain
[5]
Visiting
the
Dentist:
Ideally,
clients
should
see
a
dentist
during
the
second
trimester.
During
the
third
trimester,
lying
on
her
back
may
be
uncomfortable
for
the
client.
Tell
the
client
to
bring
a
pillow
for
comfort
if
seeing
the
dentists
closer
to
term
and
not
to
cross
her
feet
while
sitting
in
the
dental
chair
to
promote
blood
circulation.
Pregnancy
epulis
or
“pregnancy
tumors
“
are
non-­‐cancerous
lesions
that
can
develop
in
the
gingiva,
most
commonly
in
between
teeth.
They
are
soft,
pink,
smooth,
and
bleed
easily.
Lesions
resolve
in
postpartum
and
usually
require
no
intervention.
[3]