Myths and half-truths about visiting the dentist when pregnant abound, and women can often end up feeling confused about what they should or should not be doing. In fact, it is important for both mother and baby that the mother takes extra good care of her teeth while she is with child.
Visiting an experienced dentist in Buckinghamshire, such as Garden View Dental Care will help put the expectant mother’s mind at rest. But in the meantime, let’s take a look at what she can and cannot do.
Safe throughout pregnancy
The dentist in Buckinghamshire can carry out various treatments during all three trimesters of a pregnancy. It is safe to undergo teeth cleaning, x-rays, pain medication, and local anaesthesia.
Hormones and the mouth
A good dentist in Buckinghamshire will urge their pregnant patients to come for check-ups more often. Taking care of the teeth and gums becomes crucial during pregnancy because hormonal changes in the body can increase the risk of gum disease.
If the gums become red and swollen during pregnancy, it is highly likely that the patient has a condition known as ‘pregnancy gingivitis’. This can start within two months of conception and is caused by increased levels of the hormone progesterone affecting the body’s response to bacteria. More frequent visits to the dentist in Buckinghamshire helps the patient stay on top of plaque build-up. An extra fluoride treatment can also protect the teeth.
Keeping baby safe
One way to protect the foetus is to get any treatments done before conception, if it is a planned pregnancy. While no evidence suggests that dental work is harmful at any stage, avoiding dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester is a good idea.
However, check-ups are fine at any stage, but it’s best to leave elective procedures that require surgery, such as dental implants, until after the birth.
Avoiding sugary foods, brushing and flossing regularly, and a healthy and balanced diet, will be beneficial for both mother and child.
Pregnant women should always tell their dental practice when scheduling appointments that they are pregnant.
