Pregnancy Dentistry

Are you thinking about starting your own little family? Is so, you may want to start considering taking some time to really think about your dental health as well. Scientist have been doing a lot of research on the links between oral health before, during and after pregnancy. It is better for you if you address you oral health problems before getting pregnant. Make an appointment with a dental consultant and find out if you need to receive treatment now. As pregnancy, can create its own challenges to your oral health. If you’re thinking of starting a family, it’s time to be thinking seriously about your dental health. The relationship between your oral health prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy is becoming clearer and clearer with recent research. It’s important that you address dental health issues before pregnancy, because pregnancy may present its own challenges to your oral health. At least seeing a dental consultant can set you on the right path even if you do not become pregnant in the near future. The research has put to rest the old wives tale that you will lose a tooth for every pregnancy, so that’s good news. However losing teeth can be an outcome of not receiving proper dental care during pregnancy because periodontal disease is common in pregnant women.

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Some of these studies have shown a link between good oral health and a woman’s fertility. It is common to see women who are having problems with conception and have resorted to fertility treatments to get pregnant are more likely to have bleeding and inflammation of the gums than women who were able to conceive naturally. Pregnancy hormones are linked to increased incidence of gingivitis. It is said that 60-70% of pregnant women will experience this at some point during their pregnancy. One study shows that women who have gingivitis or other serious gum diseases before or during pregnancy have a higher chance of delivery prior to their 37^th week of pregnancy. Other studies have suggested that women more severe cases of these problems arelikely to deliver even earlier prior to the 32^nd week of pregnancy. Yet another study shows that regardless of whether a baby is born preterm or on time there are higher instances of low birth weight as well as other associated complications from this, when the mother has gingivitis. So it would be wise to maintain good oral health before you are pregnant or as soon as you find out that you are pregnant you should schedule an appointment with a dental consultant.

Pyogenic tumors, also known as pregnancy tumors develop in 10% of pregnant women. These are not cancerous, however they can become very painful and uncomfortable and if the grow on the gums can cause excessive bleeding and may get to the point of having to be removed. Although they usually will disappear after pregnancy has ended it could be a problem that has to be dealt with numerous times during the pregnancy as they can return after being removed. Before becoming pregnant it would be in your best interest to begin working on and maintaining your oral health by brushing and flossing to avoid the plaque buildup that causes gingivitis. Making regular visits to your dental consultant is important leading up to pregnancy, and receiving regular cleanings, as it is thought that preventing plaque prior to pregnancy reduces the risk of pregnancy induce gingivitis by quite a bit as long as you continue these habits into the pregnancy. It is just better if you can begin this treatment before becoming pregnant if at all possible. You can receive a referral to a periodontist if your dental consultant is unable to treat you. You may find that getting your oral health in check and your teeth and gums in good health that if you are having problems conceiving you will become pregnant and not have to resort to expensive alternatives like fertility treatments. Keeping up with your dental health does not only improve your overall health but that of your baby as well. There are options such as sedation dentistry prior to pregnancy. The places that offer these treatments can be more understanding and help you through any future treatment both before and during your pregnancy. They can help to work through your anxieties.

The development of pregnancy induced gingivitis begins to increase around the second month and the highest risk peaks in the eighth month of pregnancy. It is common for women to avoid having any dental procedures done during pregnancy and because of this the risk is increased for this disease. If periodontal disease does in fact develop this will have been a huge mistake. If the risks associated with treatment during pregnancy concern you, you can speak with a dental consultant about these issue and concerns. It would be wise for you to schedule this appointment early in your second trimester. If at any point you feel that gum disease may be developing you should contact the office immediately to begin treatment. As for the relationship between gingivitis and premature labor, studies are still being conducted on this subject. When a woman gets pregnant her estrogen levels as well as her progesterone levels begin to change. These changes can affect her immune system and the ability to fight off inflammation of the gums. For women who suffer from periodontitis their prostaglandins become elevated and this is believed ot be a cause of the cervix opening and onset of contractions.