Dental Treatment in Pregnancy? Yes/No

• Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe, but are recommended.
• The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums.
• Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.

 

 

 

Myth – Dental treatment cannot be done during pregnancy.

 

Fact – Dental treatment can only be done during the second trimester of pregnancy (4-6 months). During the first 3 or last 3 months of pregnancy only emergency dental procedures to provide pain relief can be carried out.

 

 Things to remember

• The demands of pregnancy can lead to particular dental problems in some women.
• Estimates suggest that about 18 out of every 100 premature births may be triggered by periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection of the gums.
• You are less likely to have dental problems during pregnancy if you already have good oral hygiene habits. 

 
------  So try to make regular and thorough teeth cleaning part of your routine. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist about the best ways to clean your teeth and the best brushes and toothpastes to use.