Cavities During Pregnancy
Does Cavities During Pregnancy Affect Your Baby? Treatment and Prevention of Cavities
Have you ever heard that you are prone to tooth decay during pregnancy? If you have cavities during pregnancy, you may be worried about any effects on your baby. Also, I'm wondering if it's okay to treat cavities during pregnancy.Therefore, this time, we will introduce the reasons why pregnant women are prone to tooth decay and the treatment and prevention methods during pregnancy.
Why you are prone to tooth decay during pregnancy
When pregnant, the hormonal balance changes, creating an oral environment in which periodontal disease bacteria can easily grow. Also, due to the effects of morning sickness, you may not be able to eat all at once, and you may have more snacks or you may not be able to brush your teeth properly. Nausea and vomiting can also cause stomach acid to spread into the mouth, making it acidic. If this happens, the teeth will melt, leading to tooth decay.
Do cavities during pregnancy affect the fetus?
It is said that pregnant women who have periodontal disease are seven times more likely to give birth to premature or low birth weight infants than ordinary pregnant women who do not. This is far greater than the risk of early underweight childbirth from tobacco and alcohol consumption.It is thought that when periodontal disease increases the blood concentration of a substance called cytokine, uterine contraction may occur, increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight infants.In addition, after giving birth, cavities-related bacteria may be transferred to the baby through the saliva of the mother, so it is said that a child of a mother with many cavities is more likely to have cavities from an early stage. To put it the other way around, by reducing the number of bacteria related to tooth decay in moms during pregnancy, the newborn baby can become less prone to tooth decay.
Is it okay to treat cavities during pregnancy?
If you have cavities during pregnancy, you will need treatment. However, if you have a baby in your stomach, some pregnant women may be worried, "Is it okay to have dental treatment?", But basically there is no problem with treatment.Anesthesia is used for tooth extraction, but it is said that there is no concern about the effect on the baby because the amount used is small due to local anesthesia. X-rays are also a worrying treatment for pregnant women, but they are said to have no effect on babies because they wear a protective apron. However, if you are really uneasy, you can decline X-rays.
When to treat cavities in pregnant women?
Basically, at any time during pregnancy, if you have severe cavities, we recommend that you visit a dentist. However, in the early stages of pregnancy, around 2 to 4 months of pregnancy, morning sickness may cause instability, so long-term treatment should be avoided.If you are 5 to 7 months pregnant, which is the stable period, you can receive treatment with peace of mind. It is not recommended to enter late pregnancy as your stomach may become quite large, making it difficult to get on the examination table while lying on your back, or sudden signs of childbirth.
How to prevent tooth decay during pregnancy
To prevent tooth decay from getting worse during pregnancy, try the following precautions:
Prevention of tooth decay during pregnancy
Some pregnant women find it difficult to put their toothbrush in their mouth and brush it for a long time because of morning sickness. In such a case, it is recommended to use dental floss for interdental brushing or mouthwash instead of brushing with a toothbrush.
Take calcium, phosphorus (phosphorus), vitamin A, etc.
To keep your teeth healthy, get the calcium and phosphorus you need to re-mineralize your teeth. Vitamins A, C and D are also important nutrients for teeth. Let's eat and take it positively. Vitamin A should be taken from vegetables and fruits, as it increases the risk of developing fetal malformations when taken from animal foods rich in retinol.
Refrain from sucking on candy or drinking sugary drinks for long periods of time
Sugar becomes energy for caries-related bacteria. The longer the sugar in your mouth, the better the environment for caries-related bacteria and the more likely you are to have caries.
Chew xylitol in it after eating
If you chew gum that contains xylitol, saliva will come out and your mouth will be closer to a healthy state.
Let's prevent tooth decay during pregnancy!
Recognize that you are more likely to have cavities during pregnancy and try to prevent it as much as possible. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy will protect your mom's and baby's teeth and health. Take good care of your baby and yourself.