Pregnancy increases the risk of oral diseases.

-Change in patterns such as chop between hours and not brushing dental hygiene, or variation in eating habits can enhance the appearance of these pathologies

-dental treatments do not pose a risk to the baby, but it is advisable to perform in the second trimester of pregnancy, between the 4th and 6th month

Madrid, 2012-may the mothers-to-be during pregnancy experience a large number of metabolic and body changes that affect all aspects of health and oral health is no exception. It must be taken into account during the gestational stage increases significantly the risk of some oral diseases, so that is why there are providing special care to prevent and detect them.

Gestational gingivitis and caries, the most frequent ailments

The most frequent and specific problem we find during pregnancy and it extends the period of lactation is gestational gingivitis, i.e., inflammation of the gums during this period ” says Dr. Germán Zarandieta, médico-odontólogo of the Milenium Sanitas Dental clinics. The increase in hormones causes the bacterial plaque to act more aggressively on the gums, so it should be given a greater care to hygiene during this period.

Throughout pregnancy, it also increases the risk of tooth decay. Changes in patterns such as chop between hours and not brushing after dental hygiene, or variation in eating habits can enhance the appearance of caries. In addition, during pregnancy, there may be a greater appetite for carbohydrates and sugary products ”, says Dr. Germán Zarandieta.

During this period must ensure a healthy and balanced diet because, in many women, there is a predisposition to have gestational diabetes. Therefore, advisable to care for the amount of sugars that are swallowed, and if possible, replace them with alternative food. From the point of view of the dental care, the combination of sugars and gingivitis increases the risk and worsening of the periodontal pathology, i.e. infectious disorders affecting the gums and the teeth supporting structure ”.

In addition to these two diseases, vomiting that may occur during the stage of gestation can also damage our teeth. If the vomiting are frequent can produce a demineralization of the enamel of the teeth, especially in expensive calls tonsillitis and lingual, i.e. the internal faces of the teeth ”.

Dental treatments do not pose a risk to the baby

Ideally, reaching pregnancy with a perfect health oral so avoid undergo treatments during the gestational period. However, pregnancy itself does not perform any dental treatment if this is necessary, although you should always take precautions and, if the detected pathology is not urgent, it may be postponed until after the birth ”, Dr. Germán Zarandieta tells us.

The use of Radiology, anaesthesia apparatus and the prescription of drugs are conditioned by the pregnancy. Most advisable is to perform treatments necessary oral prior to pregnancy. If it is necessary to carry them out during the same, the best is to do them during the second quarter, i.e., between the 4th and 6th month ”, continues the médico-odontólogo of the Milenium Sanitas Dental clinics.

Make regular visits to the dentist, make timely treatment and detect and prevent any alteration is essential to avoid these diseases because, in addition to affect the health of the mother, can also affect the baby. According to Dr. Germán Zarandieta, any infectious pathology can affect the baby’s health, as well as radiological scans and drugs ”. Therefore, it is imperative to always tell the dentist and his team if you are pregnant or are believed to be.

In addition, there are some pathologies, as it is the case of cavities in which genetic factors can intervene. Despite this, should take into account that it is a multifactorial disease and there is a more direct relationship with exogenous factors, i.e. environmental.

All of this makes that, during the period of gestation, is especially important to provide a greater dedication to the dental care with a dental cleaning more carefully, both teeth and gums. Brushing should be done after every meal and has to be careful and meticulous, but don’t want to undergo aggressive cepillados with tough cerda brushes ”, says Dr. Germán Zarandieta.

Although gingivitis can cause discomfort on the gums when it comes to cleaning, this should not condition the brushing. Finally, the doctor recommends the use of pulp of teeth and specific mouthwash and control by the dentist ”.