Oral diseases are very common during pregnancy , so much so that according to the 2020 Oral Health Study presented by Sanitas, more than 85% of pregnant women affirm that their oral health has been affected by pregnancy. This is due to the hormonal and physical changes that occur in this stage and that negatively affect the oral health of women, facilitating the appearance of problems.
One of the most common oral conditions at this stage is cavities, but can they be treated during pregnancy? Why is it important to prevent them? We clarify all doubts.
Why are cavities more common during pregnancy?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “every pregnancy costs a tooth” , alluding to the false myth that a baby steals calcium from its mother’s teeth to build its bones. Although this claim is unfounded, what is true is that oral problems increase during pregnancy .
As we anticipated at the beginning, the hormonal changes that occur during this stage can cause an inflammation of the gums, causing them to bleed more frequently, become inflamed and even affect the teeth.
But despite the incidence of these complications during pregnancy, the ‘Oral Health and Pregnancy Guide’ published by the General Council of Dentists of Spain, the Spanish Dental Foundation and the Federation of Associations of Midwives of Spain warns that only Between 10-15% of women consult their dentist during pregnancy , and among the main causes is a lack of dental education / culture.
Can I have a filling if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
As we read in the aforementioned Guide, if the pregnant woman has dental pain, infection or emergency, she should be treated immediately , as the consequences of delaying the therapeutic approach of an active infection carry a greater risk than the treatment itself.
Now, as Dr. Juan Carlos Pérez Varela, president of the Spanish Society of Orthodontics (SEDO) explained in this post, if it is not an emergency, it is preferable not to perform any dental treatment during the first trimester of pregnancy .
The second trimester, on the other hand, is the most ideal to undergo any dental treatment, including fillings. Dr. Pérez Varela told us then that at this time of pregnancy there is no longer any problem in applying local anesthesia and the necessary products to restore the tooth, although it is important that the woman previously inform the dentist of her state of pregnancy.
If tooth decay is detected in the third trimester , it will again be up to the dentist to assess whether to treat it at that time or wait for the woman to deliver. And, as it happens at the beginning, the end of pregnancy is once again a delicate period for the mother and the baby, especially due to the discomfort of lying in the same position for a long time and even the stress that many people experience. It causes them to go to the dentist.
When the woman gives birth and is breastfeeding her baby, it must be remembered that anesthesia, as well as the medicines and products that are used to restore the tooth pass into breast milk. However, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk derived from the treatment itself, so undergoing a dental filling when breastfeeding is considered a ‘low risk’ as we read on the e-lactation website.
How to prevent tooth decay in pregnancy
Oral hygiene during the pregnancy period is even more important if possible. The use of dental floss and irrigators, brushing after each meal or reducing the intake of foods rich in sugar are some of the keys to minimize the appearance of this pathology.
Brushing should be gentle and thorough, covering all areas of the oral cavity, including the tongue. Only in this way will we be able to eliminate the bacteria that affect teeth and gums and prevent future problems
In addition, it is highly recommended to carry out a complete oral check-up at the time the pregnancy is known , in order to detect possible problems early. In any case, experts advise that this review be done before the third trimester, as as pregnancy progresses it may be more uncomfortable to be in the dentist’s chair for a long time.
Likewise, if you are prone to cavities or have a previous history of periodontal diseases, you should pay more attention to your check-ups, both before, during and after pregnancy.
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More information | Oral Health and Pregnancy Guide
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