We recommend regular visits to the dentist both before, and during pregnancy. These visits are to get your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and then to maintain them in a healthy state, the whole way through your pregnancy. Healthy teeth and gums help maintain a healthy body and baby during your pregnancy.
As many women experience more bleeding of their gums during pregnancy and higher rates of gum infection, visiting your dentist regularly for a hygiene appointment including a scale and clean is imperative to your overall health. Other dental treatment like fillings, crowns and bridges can be done during your pregnancy and the best time is usually in the 2nd trimester.
However, if there is dental care that a pregnant woman needs and treatment cannot wait, we can ensure it is done with minimal risk to you or your baby at an Holistic Dentist. We avoid any dental treatment that needs radiographs and X-rays during pregnancy.
In a NSW program for new mums, Oral Health Promotion Officer Mrs Jennifer Lang mentions that tooth decay in early childhood often results from a mother with infected gums passing on the bacteria to the infant through normal everyday activities – e.g. feeding, sharing utensils, dummy usage. Consequently, poor maternal oral health increases the risk of babies developing early childhood decay. For this reason, we recommend that if you’re trying to get pregnant or are pregnant to come in for a comprehensive oral exam and professional clean as poor maternal oral health may affect babies dental health and can cause baby to come prematurely.
Suggested Visits:
First Trimester
A dental exam and routine hygiene care (cleaning) is important so that the irritants (bacterial plaque and calculus) that lead to inflamed gums and tooth cavities, can be removed. Other dental treatment is usually postponed until the second trimester, if possible. Mercury filling replacement is not completed until baby is born and breastfeeding has stopped.
Second Trimester
Routine hygiene care again is advisable. Necessary dental treatment is relatively safe and comfortable for the woman at this stage. From 4 months, your babies teeth (and bones) start to form. how early is that! Mum needs to have good nutrition, sleep and recovery so baby can grow healthy teeth.
Third Trimester
If needed, due to inflammation or swelling of the gums, another hygiene appointment may be appropriate, but early in this trimester is the best time. Appointments are kept short as the woman is usually uncomfortable reclining in the dental chair. Calcium intake is particularly important during this time. Dr Darby recommends a a professional clean 4-6 weeks before baby is due so that your mouth can be as healthy as possible and the bacteria in your mouth are the most friendly to baby. if a clean is left longer then the bacteria become more aggressive and less friendly to baby.
For more information on Pregnancy and Dentistry visit our FAQ page.