Pregnancy is a sensitive period for expectant mothers. Expectant mothers undergo some changes both spiritually and physically. Changing hormonal balance can cause problems in the mouth. Intraoral secretions are affected by this condition. Conditions such as nausea and vomiting increase the amount of acid in the mouth. As a result, dental tissue and gums may be damaged. Depending on hormones, abnormal swelling of the gums may occur.
Increased appetite and frequent eating during pregnancy can affect oral hygiene. For this reason, the importance given to oral hygiene should be increased during this process. Teeth should be brushed regularly 3 times a day. Tooth brushing should be supported with dental floss and interdental brushes. This is the only way to deal with the negative changes that pregnancy brings in the mouth.
Toothache during pregnancy can be very disturbing for the expectant mother. Since the painkillers recommended for use in this process have low pain relief effectiveness, the problem may become even bigger. In such cases of urgency, necessary treatments can be applied by consulting the expectant mother’s gynecologist. During this process, treatments such as dental filling, tooth extraction, and root canal treatment may be performed if necessary.
The best period for dental procedures that need to be performed during pregnancy is the second trimester of pregnancy. The first trimester of pregnancy is called the first trimester, the second trimester is called the second trimester, and the last trimester is called the third trimester. The first trimester is the riskier period in terms of the risk of miscarriage, and the third trimester is the riskier period in terms of the risk of premature birth. For dental procedures, the second trimester is more suitable if possible.
The reaction of the gums to the structure formed by the adhesion of food residues, which we call dental plaque, to the tooth surface, in the form of gum bleeding and gum growth, increases with the influence of hormones. In such cases, dental scaling may be recommended. There is no harm in cleaning teeth during pregnancy.
Bruises that cause discomfort during pregnancy can be eliminated with filling treatments in the second trimester, if possible, with the approval of the gynecologist. When root canal treatment is required, the treatment may not be controlled by x-ray, as the expectant mother does not want to be exposed to radiation except in cases of necessity. In this case, root canal treatment can be completed by taking advantage of developing technology, or the completion of the treatment can be postponed until after pregnancy.
Tooth extraction is the last method we resort to during pregnancy. If necessary, tooth extraction can be performed under local anesthesia. In any case where it is thought that the negative effect of a disturbing tooth on the baby is greater than the effect of the procedures performed, the necessary treatments should be performed without delay. It is always our priority for the expectant mother to go through this process as comfortably as possible.
