Various changes take place in the female body during pregnancy and this is why the mothers-to-be have many questions and usually not that many answers.

There are many false beliefs related to pregnancy and dental procedures and this is why we want to help by providing more detailed information on the topic.

Q: What changes take place in the mouth cavity of a woman during pregnancy?

A: Remember that every pregnancy is different and this is why it is important to follow the progress and the different changes that appear during it together with your doctor.

In most women, due to changes in hormonal levels and microelements (calcium, potassium, sodium, fluorine etc.), we can observe a change in the state of gums, problems regarding the solidity and structure of teeth. The immune system also gets weaker.

The changes in gums’ condition are often characterized by swelling, increased volume, the formation of “fake” pockets around the teeth, which leads to difficulties and pain during the cleaning of plaque between the teeth, which results in gum bleeding. If gum bleeding appears patients get even more hesitant and afraid while cleaning their teeth which poses a threat of tartar formation due to the remaining plaque, this might inflame the gums even more and make them even more painful.

Changes in teeth are loss of strength and solidity in structure due to redistribution of microelements towards the baby. Teeth that have a fragile structure could be easily damaged by the remaining plaque and form caries.

After birth, the inflammation process often stops or slows down and it is not uncommon to find serious and deep interdental caries this is why to avoid such problems we recommend regular plaque and tartar cleaning according to your dentist’s advice

Q: Are dental visits forbidden during pregnancy?

A: Dental visits are not only not forbidden but obligatory. It is important to track dental health

During pregnancy, this is why dental checkups must be done in parallel with gynaecological checkups. It is important to inform your dentist about your condition and which pregnancy week are currently in. This is how your dentist will be able to come up with the best hygiene plan, prevention and treatment for you.

We want to point out that pregnancy is not a period during which you should avoid dental visits, on the contrary- they must be done regularly and on time as procrastination, in this case, might lead to serious problems. Of course, some procedures should be avoided and your dentist will take into consideration recommendations to ensure you will receive the best care possible according to your condition.

Be responsible with your regular checkups as this is what will keep you and the baby completely healthy and will allow you to share more happy moments.  Do not hesitate to contact us if you want more information, a consultation or an appointment.

Q: Are dental X-rays dangerous during pregnancy?

A: X-rays are not advisable during pregnancy but in case they cannot be avoided all safety measures should be put into action- leaded collar and apron and a digital X-ray with low radiation emission.

Q: Is it safe to have an anesthesia while pregnant?

A: Yes, there are types of anesthesia especially suitable for pregnant women. They do not consist adrenalin, cannot cross the placenta and cannot affect the fetus. They are also appropriate for nursing mothers.

Q: Which routine and planned procedures could still be done during pregnancy and which should be rather postponed?

A: Dental procedures during pregnancy should be done by taking into account their urgency level and the patient’s general condition. It is important to trust your dentist’s judgement here.

Some of the advisable procedures are tartar and plaque cleaning and polishing when done carefully and painlessly.

In case of need for filling of obturations or crowns and root treatments have in mind that they are not only safe during pregnancy but if done on time might even save you dental visits right after you gave birth when you would rather spend your time with your child.

It is preferable for surgical procedures and tooth extraction (including wisdom- tooth) to be avoided. In case this cannot be done it is important to take all possible safety measures and prepare thoroughly before the procedure.

It is preferable for aesthetic procedures such as teeth whitening, fillers and botox as well as implantology to be done after the pregnancy ends.

Q: At what time during pregnancy should a woman start her dental visits?

A: It is obligatory to visit your dentist at least once during the first trimester for a consultation and instructions regarding your oral hygiene.

The period between the 3^rd  and the 6^th month of pregnancy is suitable for routine and planned or urgent manipulations.

Between the 3^rd and the 9^th month, you can continue with routine your checkups and oral hygiene consultations.

Q: What consequences might untreated health issues or chronic health problems regarding the teeth and the mouth cavity cause?

A: It is not uncommon for patients to forget about old treatment sessions or chronic problems if they are currently not causing any troubles. However, they might get activated during pregnancy thanks to the changes that take place in the body. For example, a lot of these cases involve wisdom teeth. In case of a planned pregnancy, it is always a good idea to visit your dentist in advance and have a discussion on what might cause potential problems during pregnancy or nursing.

Every problem solved on time guarantees you peace and health during and after the pregnancy.

For reference and more details on the topic, we want to share an example- the case of a patient of ours. An example of what possible complications might occur if health problems are not treated on time:

The treatment of a serious and deep caries could be quickly and safely performed during the middle of the pregnancy. Postponing the treatment might lead to further complications such as pulpitis, which is commonly characterized by strong unbearable pain especially at night. It is possible to relieve the pain but only temporarily. Painkillers are not an option as their use is not advisable during pregnancy.

In case you refuse to take action on time the complications might result in periodontitis. This condition involves swelling, pain and purulent exudate and often requires continuous treatment and antibiotics. It is preferable to avoid the intake of antibiotics during pregnancy and nursing whenever possible. Antibiotics might transfer to breast milk and some studies show that this might influence the teeth development of the child in future. As a result, it is always advisable to visit your dentist to ensure prevention and control during your condition and to prevent the countless visits that you will have to make in case of a complication.

Example of a pregnant patient at Avi Dent’s practice:

A patient of ours was experiencing pain in her wisdom tooth (serious caries that turned into pulpitis) for about four months which resulted in her tooth extraction about 5 days before the end of her term.

Thanks to the preparation for the procedure and the fact that everybody remained calm the procedure was successful and went on without posing any threat for the fetus or provoke any contractions.

The whole process was observed by an OB specialist.

However, emotions and adrenaline might provoke contraction hence it is advisable to avoid them as much as possible. This is why we recommend to our patients to share their problems as this will provide us with the opportunity to react adequately and timely.

We know how important pregnancy is for each woman, this is why the Avi Dent’s specialists are always ready to help and answer all of your questions to make sure that you will go through it healthy and without any complications.

Treat yourself and your child with care and responsibility and plan your dental consultation!