Dental care during preganancy

Dental care during pregnancy is very important. It not only reduces the dental disorders during pregnancy  but also insures that the unborn child has a good general and dental health. The care can be taken by regular brushing , flossing , eating a balanced diet and regular dentist checkups.

Many women during pregnancy are vulnerable towards pregnancy gingivitis – a condition which causes red, inflamed and bleeding gums(gingivia). It occurs due to bacterial build up , accumulated on the teeth and not due to increased level of hormones during the pregnancy. The increased level of hormones cause plaque to become more of a gum irritant. Pregnant women  have more urge for snack between the meals, and hence the their teeth are exposed to comparably more acid attacks on the tooth enamel. The acid attack after each meal is for about 20 minutes.

Baby’s teeth begin development as early as six weeks into the pregnancy and start to calcify between third and sixth months. The developing teeth needs calcium , phosphorous , minerals , vitamins A,C & D. An expectant mother should not only take of her teeth, but also her unborn baby and hence, eat a nutritious diet consisting of bread and cereal; fruits and vegetables; dairy products and meat or fish.

Sugar craving like cakes, pastries candies or dried fruits during pregnancy is normal, but these are harmful too as they stick to the  teeth and hence time of acid attack increases and thus increases the plaque buildup. Therefore fruits , vegetables or cheese are better choices than the sugary ones.

First three months of pregnancy are considered to be the most important for the development of the unborn child, and for this reason X- rays , pain medication, antibiotics and anesthesia are to be avoided during this time. The best time for a dental visit is during fourth to sixth month and it is important to bring onto the notice of the dentist that your are pregnant.

Being parents we all are the role models of our children. We should familiar with good dental practices and the dental visits of the children should begin before one year of age.
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