Tips for an expectant mother

During pregnancy, many changes occur in a woman’s body, both externally and internally. One of the most dominant changes is that of hormones, which increase and are modified, thus having various effects on the woman and the child.

Let us look, however, at some valuable dental knowledge that an expectant mother should have:

1. The increase in estrogen and progesterone results, in addition to the obvious “swelling” of the woman’s extremities, in an increase in plaque on the teeth. The accumulation of bacteria in the oral cavity of the expectant mother is greater, resulting in sensitive or swollen gums and a higher likelihood of developing gingivitis or even periodontitis.
2. During pregnancy, the appetite for food at least doubles. However, it is important that the expectant mother maintains a balanced diet rich in calcium, phosphorus, proteins, and vitamins A, C, D, because the baby’s teeth begin to develop at 3 months of pregnancy, and therefore you need to provide it with what is necessary for a healthy set of teeth.
3. The dentist is one of the doctors that the expectant mother should visit from the beginning of the pregnancy — or ideally just before becoming pregnant. The teeth are significantly affected by pregnancy, so they should be checked regularly and the appropriate treatments should be carried out. As for dental X-rays, you should know that they are safe up to the 6th month of pregnancy.
4. Pregnant women should not undergo teeth whitening. The reason is that the effects of whitening agents on the development of the fetus are unknown, and therefore it is better to avoid them. Teeth whitening can be done after the baby is born.
5. The placement or removal of amalgam fillings (dark fillings) should be avoided, where possible, during pregnancy, according to the Committee on Toxicity and the European Commission’s expert group. This, however, does not constitute a ban on the use of dental amalgam during pregnancy.

In short, during pregnancy do not remove the dentist from your schedule and do not neglect your own oral health, for your own good and for the good of the child you are bringing into the world!