What can women do to fight off cavities when they are pregnant? Keeping up good oral hygiene habits and minimizing sugary foods can help, as can seeing your dentist and hygienist regularly, says Dr. Mark Gustavson, who is a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin.
Preventing cavities during pregnancy is similar to preventing cavities throughout the rest of your life. The concern we normally have during pregnancy is because pregnant women are more prone to gingivitis and bleeding when brushing and flossing. As a result, pregnant women tend to be more conservative in their brushing and flossing habits, so they tend to get more decay and more cavities.
When the teeth are not kept clean during pregnancy, they are more prone to dental decay because of that tartar build-up on the teeth. And that build-up creates acid, which de-mineralizes the tooth structure. That loss of mineral will lead to dental decay, if the tartar and build-up are not removed.
Good Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene habits are the most important thing when a woman is pregnant to prevent cavities, as is regularly seeing your dentist during your pregnancy, usually during the second trimester. Some insurance companies are allowing more cleaning during the entire year when a woman is pregnant because of the increased risk of cavities.
If a woman is more prone to decay and has had more work done before her pregnancy, the use of topical fluorides, fluoride rinses or prescribed fluoride toothpaste from your dentist might be a good idea to prevent cavities during the pregnancy. A fluoride varnish can also be extremely helpful, which is applied directly onto the teeth.
Increased Estrogen Levels
Some studies have shown that pregnancy raises the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body, and that high levels of this female hormone can lead to an increased incidence of cavities. During pregnancy, a woman’s saliva can also lose some of its antimicrobial capacities, making it unable to fight off cavities as well as it did before. To add insult to injury, women who are pregnant often crave sweet, sugary foods.
Women should also keep in mind that if they have a dental emergency, they should see their dentist as soon as possible. An infection in the mouth can cause problems to both the expectant mother and her unborn child, and while some dental procedures can wait until after the baby is born, anything that could lead to infection should be seen to immediately.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
