Problems after childbirth - teeth crumble and fall out

Causes of dental problems in young mothers

To understand why teeth hurt, decay or fall out after childbirth, you first need to understand the processes occurring in the female body during pregnancy and lactation. Let's consider the reasons that provoke weakening of the dental system:

hormonal changes: lead to a decrease in bone density, at the same time, less nutrients are delivered through the blood to tooth enamel and gums. Therefore, they become more fragile and provide less protection against microbial attack and tooth decay/weakening gums during pregnancy and after childbirth,
changes in the composition of saliva: it also contains less calcium, phosphorus and fluoride than usual - i.e. again the enamel receives less nutrients,
lack of minerals and vitamins: primarily due to the fact that they “go” into breast milk, which is necessary for the baby. But it could also be that after giving birth, a woman simply does not know what food she should eat so that there are enough “benefits” for both the baby’s milk and her own health. The roots of the problem may also lie in poor nutrition during pregnancy, when the woman suffered from nausea due to so-called toxicosis,
deterioration of oral hygiene: not always a young mother can find time to comb her hair or drink tea, not to mention high-quality brushing of her teeth. Meanwhile, a bacterial film and soft plaque forms on them, which subsequently transforms into hard deposits (inhabited by harmful bacteria) - and not a single toothbrush can handle it,
stressful situations and weakened immunity: despite the fact that the birth of a child becomes a very happy event, the daily hassle of care and feeding can undermine moral and physical health. As a result, the body will become less resistant to various infections.

The annual summer campaign “Breastfeeding Support Week” is held around the world starting on August 1st. The date of “Breastfeeding Support Week” was not chosen by chance; on this day in 1990 the Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding was adopted. This Declaration was signed by 32 countries and 10 UNICEF agencies. The global campaign “Breastfeeding Support Week” was conceived as one of the strategic methods to popularize and support natural feeding of children, to revive and renew, in our modern times, a lost tradition - breastfeeding. It is often said that breastfeeding (especially night feedings) can cause tooth decay. Is it so? Does breastfeeding have anything to do with tooth decay? This is how experts at mamaexpert.ru answer this question. Breast milk has a special effect on the formation of strong and healthy teeth. It is known that a child’s teeth are formed during pregnancy: the crowns of baby teeth are formed in the early stages, and the first molars are formed in the seventh or eighth month. Immediately after birth, the baby, along with mother’s milk, receives all the necessary minerals and trace elements, which continue to actively participate in the formation of teeth. It is difficult to predict what a child’s teeth will be like in the future, but the mother has the power to provide the developing body with everything necessary. A person is born with retrogenia - the lower jaw is slightly shifted back. This is no coincidence. If the children's jaws were immediately in the correct position, the child would not be able to pass through the mother's birth canal. In the presence of natural feeding during the eruption of the first teeth, the jaws gradually return to their normal position. Breastfeeding is a kind of training for the muscles of the lower jaw, tongue, cheeks and facial muscles. Often breastfeeding a child at least during the first year of life is necessary not only to ensure that the baby receives the necessary nutrients, but also for the proper formation of the entire facial skeleton. The size and shape of the teeth are determined genetically, but the place where they will be located and the size of the jaw depend on the child’s muscle activity during the period of growth. That is, the jaws develop every day, and breastfeeding provides enormous help. It develops the child’s jaw muscles well. If the jaws are not developed, there will be little space for teeth. In the future, this guarantees their crowding. As a result of overcrowding, poor hygiene, gum inflammation, poor aesthetics and the need for orthodontic treatment. Breastfeeding when teeth appear The first teeth from the moment they appear begin to actively participate in the feeding process. But they are threatened by pathogenic bacteria. Careful hygiene of children's teeth is mandatory! Breast milk contains the protein lactoferrin and the enzymes lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase, which have a powerful antibacterial effect and break down plaque on teeth. Breastfeeding and bite formation Natural feeding makes it possible for the child’s maxillofacial apparatus to form correctly. The movements that the baby's tongue and lower jaw perform during breastfeeding are unique. In the absence of breastfeeding, the sucking muscles will most likely remain underdeveloped. Weak muscles of the tongue and lower jaw provoke the phenomenon of an unusual palate. As a result, problems with chewing food, diction and the need for orthodontic treatment in the future. Is it possible to treat teeth while breastfeeding? The period of breastfeeding can be quite long, and maintaining dental health during this time is necessary. If a nursing mother has a toothache, it is imperative to see a dentist. Many mothers fear that medications used in dental treatment can harm the baby. However, in modern dentistry there are drugs that are eliminated from a woman’s body before they penetrate into breast milk. Other drugs can be completely eliminated from the body in a few hours - during this time the mother can feed the baby with pre-expressed milk. If a young mother's teeth are severely weakened by pregnancy and breastfeeding, she may be offered a remineralization procedure. This procedure consists of applying special enamel containing calcium to the teeth. Enamel protects teeth from damage and prevents their destruction. No matter how many children a woman has, all her teeth will remain in place if you follow simple hygiene rules and visit the dentist in a timely manner. We wish your smile to remain dazzling! What can you do to maintain dental health while breastfeeding? The rules for dental care during breastfeeding are not much different from the general rules for maintaining dental health. You should visit the dentist periodically, not only when a toothache occurs, but also as a preventive measure - at least once every six months. The appearance of tartar in the oral cavity is a reason for an extraordinary visit to the dental office. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). If possible, it is better to brush your teeth after every meal. Adequate nutrition is one of the main factors in maintaining dental health.

Products that help maintain dental health Dairy products are one of the main sources of calcium and lactic acid, necessary for dental health. Hard cheeses have the highest calcium content. Solid vegetables: carrots, cauliflower, green beans contain coarse plant fibers that help clean teeth naturally. Leafy greens: dill, parsley, celery, onions, lettuce contain a number of vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy teeth and gums. Fish and other seafood contain fluoride, which is essential for teeth, but when breastfeeding you should use these products with caution, as they are possible allergens. Foods whose consumption is harmful to dental health Sweets: candies, sugary drinks, sweet baked goods contain carbohydrates that can destroy tooth enamel. If a nursing mother can afford to eat something sweet, it is recommended to rinse her mouth with water or tooth elixir afterward. Whole grain bread, cereal, and brown rice contain healthy slow carbohydrates, but over time these substances also turn into sugar. Of course, you shouldn’t give up these products; the main thing is to clean your mouth from food debris in a timely manner. Sour fruits: lemons, oranges, grapefruits, sour apples, etc. contain fruit acids that destroy tooth enamel. To wash away aggressive substances, just rinse your teeth with water.

What do women complain about to the dentist after childbirth?

Women often notice a feeling of soreness in their mouth, that their teeth seem to ache, or they have begun to crumble and hurt, old fillings fall out, etc. The main problems that plague a young mother after childbirth are increased sensitivity of teeth, caries, pulpitis, rapid abrasion or destruction of crowns. Problems with the gums manifest themselves in pathologies such as gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease.

On a note! By the way, some mothers’ teeth begin to deteriorate not only after childbirth, but also during pregnancy. But many people don’t do them, putting them off “for later.” As a result, you have to install dentures or completely remove teeth that have crumbled to the roots.

Features of female physiology that affect dental implantation

The physiological characteristics of the female body force us to plan dental implantation more carefully, because if they are not taken into account, there is a high probability of rejection of the installed implant.

Let us indicate the periods of life when dental implantation is possible in women (and then we will clarify the key features of each of them):

over the age of 18, since before this the jaw system is at the stage of formation,
3-5 days before and after menstruation,
no less than 3 months after completion of lactation,
at least six months before pregnancy,
during menopause, subject to certain rules and the choice of safer implantation protocols.

The issue of taking into account physiological characteristics is very important - implantation costs a lot of money, requires careful preparation, and the result is the acquisition of a beautiful smile for many years. Therefore, the doctor must take into account age, the onset of “critical days,” possible pregnancy planning, the date of the last birth, and the onset of menopause.

In addition to standard diagnostics, women also need to undergo tests for the level of essential hormones before dental implantation. And if necessary, additionally visit an endocrinologist.

Menstrual cycle

During menstruation, a woman’s body experiences a sharp decrease in the number of platelets - sometimes they become even half as small. Red blood cells influence blood clotting and the formation of fibrin (a protein that promotes wound healing). As soon as capillaries are injured, platelets are immediately sent to this area to help stop bleeding. Consequently, a decrease in the number of platelets threatens the following consequences:

prolonged bleeding of injured soft mucous membranes,
internal bleeding at the border of the bone and implant, which leads to the formation of an internal hematoma,
the formation of fibrous tissue between the bone and the implant due to long-term damage to the capillaries, and this risks the fact that hard bone tissue simply will not “grow” inside the porous surface of the implant. Thus, the implant will not achieve the desired degree of fixation,
An implant that has not fully taken root will not withstand the load from the installation of a gum former, abutment or prosthesis.

Pregnancy planning and IVF

To achieve high results from dental implantation, large resources of the body are required. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, a woman’s immunity sharply decreases, hormonal levels change completely, the load on the body increases significantly, and the density of bone tissue decreases. Most of the beneficial minerals “leave” to the baby, which he receives through the mother’s body, which is why so often women during pregnancy complain of pain in the bones, loss of fillings and even complete destruction of teeth.

You cannot plan pregnancy or artificial insemination (IVF) earlier than a few months after dental implant surgery. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, but on average it should take about 3-4 months. It is at this time that maximum strength from the body is required in order for the implant to fully take root in the bone tissue.

During pregnancy

Despite the theoretical possibility of installing implants during pregnancy, many experts are against it. The implantation operation itself is safer than tooth extraction, except for the use of anesthesia and the need for x-ray diagnostics, which are completely permitted in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the process of acquiring a new tooth does not end there – the postoperative period follows. It is at this moment that the doctor prescribes a large number of medications, including antibiotics, because without their use the likelihood of complications is very high - and they are contraindicated for pregnant women. In addition, hormonal changes change the mineral composition of bone tissue, which negatively affects the quality of implant healing.

Implantation is not a vital necessity, so it is necessary to wait until the end of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

After the baby is born

After giving birth, most women begin to feed their baby with breast milk, again losing a significant amount of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, implantation can begin only 3 months after the end of the lactation period. This period is allotted to restore women’s health, immunity and to replenish the mineral density of bone tissue.

Menopause

With age, a woman’s body begins to be accompanied by such unpleasant problems as osteoporosis, decreased bone density, thyroid disease, loss of a large number of teeth, up to the occurrence of complete adentia. The changes that occur during menopause will again be taken into account by a professional implantologist.

Nuances of dental treatment after childbirth - is it possible or not?

Answering the question whether it is possible to treat teeth after childbirth, it is worth saying that during this period all bans on anesthetic injections (which were not recommended during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy) are lifted. However, if the child is breastfed, you will need to express milk in advance for feeding or switch the baby to artificial formula for one day. Also, within 24 hours after the painkiller injection, you will need to express and pour out the milk - and then you can feed the baby as before.

If, after treatment, the dentist prescribed antibiotics - for example, after tooth extraction, treatment of periodontitis or periodontitis, then you should also remember that many drugs pass into breast milk. In this case, you will also need to express and freeze the milk in advance or switch the baby to formula. And in order for lactation to be maintained at the proper level for 5-10 days (while the mother is taking antibiotics), you need to express milk 6-7 times a day, but you cannot give it to the baby.

On a note! It is not recommended to place implants after childbirth for 6-8 months, and implantation should be postponed for another six months after completion of lactation. Since the bone tissue is still quite soft (after pregnancy), the implants may not take root well. The installation of traditional prostheses - crowns or bridges - is discussed individually, because... it all depends on the initial condition of the gums and remaining teeth that may need treatment.

What happens to teeth after childbirth: 10 main questions for the dentist

We selected the most popular questions from nursing mothers and asked the doctor to answer them. After pregnancy, many women begin to have problems with their teeth: caries, inflammation of the gums, loss of fillings. The reason is decreased immunity and lack of calcium in the body after the birth of the baby.

You don’t really want to go to the dentist at this time, especially since it is widely believed that treating teeth during this period is dangerous. In fact, a nursing mother should visit the dentist even more often than usual, because preventing a disease is easier than treating it. Conventional prevention will also help you avoid many dental problems, but it’s worth taking into account some nuances.

We collected the most frequently asked questions from nursing mothers about the treatment and prevention of dental diseases and took them to Volker Grossmann, chief physician of the German Dentistry clinic.

Is it possible to treat teeth for nursing mothers?

Can. Treatment of caries, installation of crowns and tooth extraction are carried out under local anesthesia. Modern anesthetics are absorbed into the blood in minimal quantities, but it still takes 3-6 hours for no trace of them to remain in the body.

Before visiting the doctor, you should make a daily supply of breast milk for your baby. Since after anesthesia, breastfeeding is not recommended for 24 hours. At the same time, it is important not to forget to simply express.

If flux or other inflammations have developed, the dentist will prescribe a course of antibiotics. During this time, you will have to switch your baby to formula feeding and express milk six times a day to maintain lactation.

There are no contraindications for installing implants during feeding, but it is better to postpone this procedure. Your doctor will help you decide on the right time.

Installing braces and correcting the bite creates extra stress on the jaw bones, which are already weakened after childbirth. Therefore, it is better to start treatment with an orthodontist after finishing breastfeeding.

Is it necessary to take calcium after childbirth to strengthen teeth?

Calcium is the number one element for strong teeth. If a person eats well, including foods rich in calcium (cottage cheese, sour cream, cheese, poppy seeds, sesame seeds), then the body receives enough of this mineral.

To maintain health after childbirth, you can take vitamin and mineral supplements for nursing mothers; they will also have a beneficial effect on your teeth.

Can nursing mothers whiten their teeth?

Much depends on the condition of the oral cavity. Some breastfeeding mothers experience increased sensitivity of their teeth and gums, and aggressive whitening pastes can further intensify this process.

After childbirth, it is better to use toothpastes for sensitive teeth. And a few months later, if the teeth and gums are in good condition, try whitening toothpastes.

It is better for nursing mothers to avoid chemical whitening (both at home using a mouth guard and procedures at the dentist). But the procedure for brushing teeth without using Air Flow reagents is suitable.

How to prevent darkening of enamel after childbirth

Brushing your teeth morning and evening, a good toothbrush and toothpaste, rinsing your mouth after meals, and using dental floss will help prevent not only the darkening of your teeth, but also the formation of tartar.

What to do if your gums bleed after brushing your teeth

Modern brushes have soft silicone and polymer bristles that remove plaque well and do not damage tooth enamel and gums. Therefore, after cleaning with a good brush there should not be such a problem. Blood may appear if:

press too hard on the toothbrush
your toothbrush is too old (service life - no more than 3 months),
you have formed tartar (it must be removed by a hygienist),
you have bad fillings or crowns (overhanging edges, sharp edging cause mechanical damage to soft tissues),
gums are inflamed (the cause may be mechanical, thermal or chemical injuries).

If all of the above is excluded, and medicinal rinses do not help, you should consult a doctor.

Are fluoride toothpastes good or bad?

Previously, toothpastes with fluoride were widely advertised, but today opinions have appeared in the press that fluoride is harmful. But no evidence has yet been found; science still believes that fluoride is an excellent tool for strengthening teeth.

It's all about quantity. Large dosages of fluoride are bad for teeth, but toothpaste contains little of it.

Today, pastes with fluorides (fluoride compounds) and calcium phosphate are considered the best means for saturating teeth with minerals.

Which toothpastes may be dangerous for nursing mothers?

Read the ingredients of your toothpaste. There are still toothpastes containing parabens on the market. French mammologist Philippa Darbre has proven that parabens cause breast cancer. Since 2014, in France it is prohibited to add them to any hygiene and cosmetic products. But in some countries parabens are still used, for example in Japan.

Japanese toothpastes with parabens are still sold in Russia; they can be dangerous for mother and baby.

Which toothbrush is better - with natural bristles or synthetic bristles?

Even 50 years ago, scientists found out that the brush should only be made of synthetic fibers.

But today everything natural is in fashion, and wooden Sivak sticks, brushes with natural pork bristles, horse hair, mountain goat hair, badger hair, and so on have appeared on sale.

Women after pregnancy and all other people should not use such brushes.

Natural materials have many pores where bacteria linger and multiply, causing inflammatory processes in the mouth. I tend to recommend using synthetic toothbrushes and replacing them every three months.

Which brush is better - regular or electric?

Electric brushes clean your teeth better. But it is very important not to press too hard on the brush, this has a bad effect on your teeth and, more importantly, on your gums. Buy brushes with an indicator that helps you control the pressure. If you press hard on the brush, the red light will light up.

Modern brushes have turned into super-sophisticated gadgets. For example, some models can be connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone, which makes it possible to control the time required to brush your teeth in different modes using motion and pressure sensors.

The brush has several attachments, including ones for sensitive teeth, which will be useful for a nursing mother.

The best way to clean hard-to-reach places in the mouth

Do not clean the space between your teeth with wooden sticks. They break and get stuck, and then you have to go to the doctor to remove the broken piece of toothpick.

Dental floss is the easiest way to clean hard-to-reach places. It is advisable to use it in the evening every day.

Another option is an irrigator. This is a mini dental shower, similar to a dental instrument, from which a stream of water flows under pressure. The irrigator cleans well the space between teeth and old plaque, simplifies the care of crowns and braces, implants and bridges, and also massages the gums.

Source

Professional hygiene – to brighten enamel and protect against bacteria

If a woman during pregnancy or after childbirth notices that her teeth have begun to look darker or yellowed, she begins to think about whitening. But most bleaching compounds containing hydrogen and urea peroxides have a rather aggressive effect on fragile enamel. Therefore, dentists recommend professional oral hygiene, which includes:

ultrasonic removal of tartar: hard mineral deposits that accumulate near the cervical part cannot be removed even with the most modern brush. But the ultrasonic waves of a special device (scaler) cope perfectly with the problem without damaging natural tissues,
Air-Flow water-abrasive cleaning: designed primarily to remove soft bacterial plaque, a thin pigmented film that reduces the aesthetics of a smile. Hypoallergenic preparations are used for Air-Flo, so this treatment can be done for children, pregnant women, and women after childbirth,
polishing the enamel surface with special rollers and pastes: to make the teeth smooth and gain a natural shine. Also, smoothness prevents microbes from “attaching” to the smallest protrusions - this reduces the likelihood of plaque.

Read on the topic: what is professional oral hygiene – and why every person needs it.

By the way, it is recommended to carry out professional cleaning 1-2 times a year, even if the patient is not bothered by any problems in the oral cavity - because this greatly reduces the likelihood of caries. And after professional hygiene, dentists suggest the next step – remineralization. We will tell you why it is needed further.

Why do pregnant women suffer from dental problems?

During pregnancy, teeth and gums often suffer. The baby developing in the womb “takes away” from the mother most of the calcium entering her body. If there are not enough nutrients, because the expectant mother is not eating well or has poor absorption of nutrients, most often her teeth, hair, and nails suffer. That is why a woman’s body must be saturated with macroelements, minerals and vitamins both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. At the same time, blood circulation in the gums worsens, the chemical composition of saliva changes, which now cannot effectively maintain the acid-base balance in the oral cavity. All this increases the risk of caries and the development of periodontitis (gum inflammation), so it is especially important to pay attention to preventive measures.

Remineralization – for strengthening and protection against caries

How to strengthen teeth after childbirth? Of course, you need to eat right - but you don’t have to visit the dentist for this (you can consult a pediatrician, obstetrician-gynecologist, or nutritionist). We will talk about the proper diet after childbirth a little later. As for dental or in-office strengthening, the best option here would be deep fluoridation of teeth, which saturates hard dental tissues with useful substances, making them less sensitive and much more resistant to microbial attack, as well as reducing the risk of caries.

On a note! Remineralization not only makes teeth stronger and more resilient, but also reduces their sensitivity to various irritants - sour or spicy foods, hot and cold. Many patients also note that the remineralization course makes the enamel a little lighter.

Also in dentistry, fluoride varnish is used as a remineralizing therapy - but it wears off quickly, and beneficial substances do not penetrate the enamel. For home use, pharmacy gels for remineralization are prescribed - for example, brands ROCS or Biorepair.

“After giving birth, my teeth began to ache very much from various things - from brushing, rinsing my mouth, hot tea, apples when I ate, and a lot of other things - I don’t remember everything now. I went to the dentist, there was no caries (although I was already worried). The doctor said that you need to use a gel for a month or two to strengthen the enamel; they are sold in any pharmacy. And you know, it helped a lot! Now, even when the child has grown up, I still arrange a course of such strengthening for myself a couple of times a year. And by the way, there are such gels for children, too, but we haven’t tried them yet, first I want to consult a doctor.”
Nastya P., Ryazan, review from baby.ru

Toothache during pregnancy

18.10.2021

Pregnancy is the beginning of the first days of a child’s life, which change a lot in the life of the expectant mother. The changes will affect the entire body, including the oral cavity, and may affect the child's health. Why is it especially important to take care of your teeth ? Can anesthesia be used? Is x-ray safe for a child? How often to visit the dentist ? Is it better to wait until after pregnancy to get dental ? This article will clear up any doubts you might have about the effects of pregnancy on your teeth .

How does pregnancy affect teeth?

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman’s life when significant changes occur in the body. First of all, it is affected by fluctuations in hormone , especially increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in the blood . That is why during pregnancy the expectant mother will be able to notice many new symptoms, including those related to the teeth and mouth . During pregnancy you may experience:

bleeding gums
hypertrophy and swelling of the gums
bad breath
tooth sensitivity

Prevention comes first. Comprehensive oral hygiene and prevention of dental diseases are the most important element of child planning. Responsible preparation for pregnancy should include not only a visit to the gynecologist , but also a visit to the dentist . This approach eliminates possible odontogenic outbreaks of infection and significantly reduces the risk of stressful visits during pregnancy . However, what is the procedure for dental during pregnancy ?

Dental treatment during pregnancy

your teeth treated if necessary during pregnancy . Remember that the first trimester is the time when your baby is at risk of the most serious morphological damage. During this time, the formation of major organs (organogenesis) occurs, so planned procedures should be postponed to a later date. In the first trimester the dentist should check the condition of the teeth, give hygiene and dietary recommendations (including limiting sweets to a minimum), draw up a treatment plan and inform about the increased risk of gum . And also to assure that pain in the gums during pregnancy , which occurs at this time, is a normal situation, and that the expectant mother can help herself. Toothache in the first trimester of pregnancy is an indication for an early visit to the dentist . He will begin treatment to make life easier for the expectant mother.

In the second trimester and at the beginning of the third, routine treatment can be safely carried out. Then the risk of miscarriage or premature birth is minimal. At the end of pregnancy it is worth carrying out prenatal caries so that the expectant mother knows how to act so as not to infect her baby with cariogenic bacteria.

Anesthesia during pregnancy

Some anesthetics can be used for routine dental during pregnancy and in case of toothache. Therefore, the dentist should be told what week of pregnancy the patient is in. It is possible to choose a drug that does not penetrate the placenta. Anesthetics containing decongestants (eg, epinephrine, norepinephrine) are not used. Nitrous oxide should not be used during the first trimester because this medication increases the risk of miscarriage.

Teeth with decayed pulp (so-called dead teeth) must be prepared for root canal treatment or, in extreme cases, removed. The putrefactive bacterial decay products they contain carry the risk of acute inflammation and local and even general complications, such as abscesses. Such situations should not be underestimated, since the infection poses a danger to the child’s health.

X-ray during pregnancy

Ionizing radiation is a teratogenic factor for the fetus (causes malformations), so personnel performing dental x-rays should be informed about pregnancy . An X-ray of one tooth gives the fetus a dose 4 times lower than cosmic radiation per day. These doses are far from those considered harmful. Of course, all precautions must be taken: the use of a lead apron and/or collar. It is expected that all planned photographs will be taken after birth . In situations where the correct diagnosis can only be made on the basis of photographs, an x-ray of the tooth may be taken, taking the above precautions. It is worth emphasizing that if pain occurs, you must definitely visit the dentist . The dentist may then begin treatment and delay x-rays until after delivery .

How often can an x-ray be taken??

There is no dose limit concept for the medical use of X-rays. This is not to say that you can take no more than one or two photographs per year. If the health benefits, determined by the attending physician and confirmed by the radiologist, outweigh the possible harm, then an x-ray should be taken . Today, doses of X-ray radiation are significantly limited, and if precautions are taken, X-rays in pregnant women, as well as X-rays in the first days of pregnancy , should not have negative consequences.

There are no clear guidelines regarding how often x-rays . oral x-ray is necessary to make a correct diagnosis . X-rays are especially harmful in the first trimester of pregnancy because this is when the baby's organs are forming, but even then, using it with precautions will not harm either the baby or the pregnant woman.

How to take care of your oral health during pregnancy

Examination of the oral cavity and professional hygiene and preventive procedures for pregnant women should be repeated every trimester. The dentist should inform each pregnant patient

The need to brush your teeth with fluoride paste at least twice a day. It is recommended to brush your teeth after every meal, and in case of vomiting, rinse your mouth with water and delay brushing your teeth for about half an hour to minimize the risk of enamel erosion.
Clean contact surfaces daily with dental floss.
Recommended use of fluoride-releasing products: toothpaste, alcohol-free mouthwashes containing fluoride compounds, for example, at a concentration of about 200 ppmF (once a day) and 900 ppmF (once a week).
The use of xylitol and chlorhexidine in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy .
It is recommended to clean the surface of the tongue, since the plaque that accumulates on it contains microorganisms and exfoliated cells that form a reservoir of plaque components.
The condition of teeth is greatly influenced by the diet of a pregnant woman. The diet should be balanced and rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, fluoride and vitamins (A, C and D).
The quantity and frequency of meals are just as important as the quality of your diet . Avoid snacking between meals and at night, as this leads to a constant build-up of plaque and a drop in the pH in your mouth .
Mouthwash during pregnancy by experts during pregnancy . The use of rinses promotes better teeth , reduces plaque retention and remineralizes early caries changes.

Sweets during pregnancy

A common myth is that teeth pregnancy and break on their own. It's true that teeth often become worse during pregnancy, but this is due to unfavorable changes in diet - eating a lot of sugar, snacking at night or eating irregularly. Combined with decreased salivation in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy , this can pose a serious threat to teeth . In the first trimester, there are also some problems associated with the digestive system, including vomiting: damage to the enamel and an additional decrease in the pH of the oral cavity. However, in practice, all these risk factors can be eliminated with proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet during pregnancy!

The presence of inflammatory lesions in the oral can threaten premature birth and low birth weight of the baby, so you should not risk your baby's health by snacking on sugary snacks and neglecting oral hygiene . It is worth remembering that dental treatment for pregnant women is safe. First of all, it is necessary to emphasize education and prevention to avoid dental . Already at the stage of pregnancy , it is necessary to go to the dentist and visit the dental office at least once every trimester.

Published in Pregnancy and pregnancy management Premium Clinic

Proper Teeth Brushing Technique

Increased sensitivity, as well as excessive abrasion of the enamel, a wedge-shaped defect can appear due to improper brushing of the teeth. The technology of proper oral hygiene includes the following steps and nuances:

The movements of the toothbrush bristles should be vertical – i.e. You need to move the brush from the gum to the cutting edge: this way food particles and soft plaque will be swept away. Horizontal movements do not sweep away excess from the vestibular and oral surfaces of the dentition, but injure the enamel,
thorough cleaning of the chewing surface of the lateral areas of the mouth: here you need to move the brush horizontally to clean out food debris from the fissures,
each segment of the row should be given equal time for cleaning: many clean only the “smile zone”, but at the same time the lateral areas become covered with plaque and tartar, which lead to fissure caries or pulpitis,
The brush and paste should not injure the enamel and gums: therefore, you need to choose a brush from a trusted manufacturer. Otherwise, you can purchase a tool with sharp fibers cut at different angles and scratch the enamel. The same thing can happen if you use a highly abrasive paste.

Don't forget to change your brush regularly (every 2-3 months) and use medicated toothpastes that are prescribed for gum disease, as recommended by your dentist.

Teeth crumble: causes in adults and children, what to do

If teeth begin to decay, then this is a signal to immediately visit the dentist. Only a specialist will be able to solve the problem by first finding out why the teeth are crumbling and indicating what to do for a particular patient.

What to do if your teeth are crumbling

The problem of enamel destruction can arise against the background of a variety of factors, including some serious diseases. Therefore, before the doctor begins to select a treatment regimen, it will be necessary to find out the true cause of the condition. Adults, children, and women during pregnancy are susceptible to tooth decay. Sometimes, to fully solve a problem, you need to involve other specialists from the medical field. It all depends on what triggered the development of the condition.

Why do adult teeth crumble?

In dentistry, there are several factors that can cause the destruction of enamel and subsequent tissues in an adult:

Metabolic disorders. Most often they occur against the background of diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus), gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer). The essence of the problem is incomplete absorption of minerals.
Poor oral hygiene. Irregular brushing of teeth and lack of rinsing the mouth after eating are the reasons for the growth of bacteria on the enamel. The result will be the development of caries. It is he who leads to destruction.
Insufficient intake of minerals and vitamins into the body. Deficiencies of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus are of particular importance. This condition can be caused by poor nutrition and living in areas with a disproportionate content of these elements in the water.
Malocclusion, loss of teeth. In this case, the chewing load is distributed unevenly, the enamel begins to wear out, and chips and cracks form. If teeth begin to crumble for this reason, then you need to do prosthetics, implantation, or procedures to straighten the dentition and correct the bite.
Hormonal imbalance. More often concerns women who are in menopause. The production of female hormones decreases, and it is they that affect the level of bone tissue strength. Its fragility causes problems with enamel.

The onset can also be triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcohol abuse, frequent consumption of coffee and strong tea). Harmful habits include chewing seeds, nuts and nails, opening lids, and biting wires and threads.

Reasons why children's teeth crumble

In childhood, baby teeth may begin to decay. This condition cannot be ignored, because in the future the problem will affect permanent ones. Reasons why a child’s teeth began to crumble:

Enamel hypoplasia. Gestational factors that are triggered even at the stage of intrauterine development of the fetus influence. These include a deficiency of minerals and vitamins, smoking by a pregnant woman, toxicosis in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, chronic stress, iron deficiency anemia, infectious diseases suffered during the period of bearing a child. The result will be a violation of enamel mineralization. When baby teeth first appear in a child, they are already covered with dark spots and have grooves and depressions.
Poor nutrition of the baby. Vitamin D, fluoride, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium play a particularly important role. If these elements enter the body in insufficient quantities, then the bone tissue will draw them from its own reserves. When breastfeeding a child, the nutrition of the mother herself is important.
Fluorosis. This is a disease associated with an excess of fluoride in the body. The main source of the element is water, so the problem occurs among those who live in regions with fluoridated water. An excess of fluoride is characterized by a strong increase in the density of the enamel, it begins to crumble in layers.

A broken bite also plays a role. It can develop against the background of prolonged use of a pacifier or improper eruption of the first teeth.

Teeth crumble during pregnancy

There is only one reason for this: there is a lack of calcium in a woman’s body, because it is required for the growth and development of the fetus. Hormonal changes can also affect the condition of the enamel, but this happens much less frequently.

Prevention: what to do to prevent teeth from crumbling

There are a number of simple but effective measures that will prevent the onset of the destruction process:

complete oral hygiene;
visiting the dentist at least 2 times a year for a follow-up examination;
proper nutrition, balanced menu.

It is important to give up bad habits.

If your teeth are crumbling, treatment will depend on the cause.

Why a tooth crumbles and what to do must be decided by the dentist in each specific case. There are a number of manipulations that can eliminate a cosmetic defect and temporarily stop the process of enamel destruction.

Important! If the true cause of the condition is not eliminated, then all dental procedures will be useless. They will give only a short-term effect.

The dentist can perform:

Filling using composite materials. It will help if the tooth has just begun to crumble. A specialist will be able to restore its shape while maintaining the relief, convolutions and depressions. This way the bite will not change.
Installation of veneers, which are thin ceramic overlays. Relevant if your front tooth is crumbling. Veneers are thin, elegant, and invisible. If all doctor's recommendations are followed, they can last 15 years.
Installation of inlays, prosthetics. The first ones are used for the destruction of chewing teeth. Dentures are necessary if the coronal part is missing.

What to do if an adult or child’s teeth are crumbling? Contact your dentist immediately. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be. A full examination may be necessary to determine the cause of the enamel destruction. It is important to stop the process to prevent complete loss of teeth.

Treatment of gum disease in a nursing mother

Pathology such as gingivitis often occurs during pregnancy and after childbirth. Moreover, bleeding gums must be neutralized so that dangerous bacteria do not penetrate into the general bloodstream. This can negatively affect not only women’s bodies, but also children’s bodies – if the child is breastfed.

If gingivitis is not treated, the inflammation penetrates deep along the tooth root, leading to periodontal inflammation – periodontitis. Which is more difficult to treat and never goes away completely. Another periodontal disease, periodontal disease, begins due to poor nutrition of the tissues around the teeth (gums and bones). If periodontitis and periodontal disease are not treated, the level of the gums decreases, the teeth look longer and begin to become loose, and may even begin to fall out.

Treatment of gum disease is always complex and consists of the following:

professional oral hygiene: necessary to remove all dangerous microbes,
removal of subgingival mineral deposits using “Varius” or “Vector” ultrasonic devices: when using these devices, you can do without gum peeling surgery,
splinting mobile teeth with a special splint,
curettage of the gums: often accompanied by a surgical operation to peel off the gums, so subsequently you will have to take antibiotics and resolve the issue of feeding the baby,
applications and injections with medications (for gums): it is necessary to warn the dentist that the patient has an infant - so that the doctor selects a safe medicine,
plasmolifting of gums: a very effective technique for gum regeneration, the treatment is based on the ability of platelets to restore living tissue,
selection and use of toothpaste for inflammation and gum restoration: these can be pastes based on plants or medicinal substances, for example, Parodontax,
using a toothbrush of medium hardness: “medium” is the optimal solution for high-quality cleaning and massage of the gums, because “soft” does not tone the gums at all, while “hard” injures them,
taking vitamin complexes to improve the condition of the gums: all medications must be agreed with the dentist so as not to harm the baby. Vitamins C and PP are very useful for gums.

HEALTHY TEETH

How to keep your teeth healthy and shine with a Hollywood smile after childbirth? It’s no secret that teeth after childbirth lose their appearance and strength. After giving birth, a woman will have to think about the condition of her teeth no less than during the entire period of bearing a child. Teeth are an indicator of the health of the entire body. And the mother will need to pay attention not only to the current state of her health, but to the diet for the entire future of breastfeeding. To properly feed your baby, you yourself will need a daily menu rich in minerals and vitamins. Low calcium levels primarily affect the condition of hair, nails and teeth.

Where a child gets calcium from while in the womb and in the first months of life is beyond doubt. First from mother's blood, and then from mother's milk. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women are recommended to take medications containing calcium and vitamin D3, which is responsible for delivering calcium to its intended destination - to bones and teeth. These can be vitamins for pregnant and lactating women such as “Materna” or “Pergnavita” or special complexes of calcium and vitamin D (calcium D3, nycomed, calcide, calcinova, etc.). Vitamins in pills are cheaper, but are absorbed a little worse than vitamins in capsules. At the same time, not only do you strengthen your bones, nails and teeth, the same happens to the bones, nails and teeth of the child. If you are breastfeeding, vitamin D3 from your milk enters the baby's body and prevents the development of rickets. When bottle-fed, the baby receives both calcium and vitamin D from the formula.

If due to allergies or financial problems you cannot take vitamins, try to ensure that your diet contains enough calcium and vitamin D. To do this, eat eggs, fish, milk and butter with vitamin D, cheese, cottage cheese and other dairy products, buckwheat and oatmeal. It is better to wash all this down with orange or at least apple juice - this way calcium is better absorbed. A nursing woman needs about 1 g of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
If you need to support your teeth with calcium, then it is better to use a 10% solution of calcium gluconate (in ampoules): pour the solution onto a piece of cotton wool and into your mouth, holding it with your chewing teeth for 20 minutes. This method is often recommended for young children when the first signs of caries appear on their baby teeth.
Avoid foods that are too hot or sour, don’t drink drinks that are too cold, and don’t overuse sweets. All this is detrimental to delicate tooth enamel.
Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. During the postpartum period and during lactation, very sensitive tooth enamel is easily damaged. Therefore, it is better to purchase toothpaste with fluoride, which will gently clean and whiten your teeth.
Pay attention to oral hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice a day (after breakfast and after dinner), for about 3 minutes. You should rinse your mouth after every meal, use decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, yarrow, St. John's wort, etc.
Use a medium-hard toothbrush; if there is a risk of pulpitis or periodontitis, buy a soft one.
Do not take painkillers to relieve toothache! This may harm the baby's health. Take preventive measures in a timely manner to avoid toothache and the occurrence of various diseases.
A dentist can also give good advice. If you regularly remove plaque, called tartar, from the surface of your teeth, this will help you protect your gums and preserve your teeth. Your dentist may advise you to rinse your mouth with disinfectant herbs or a special oral fluid - this will protect your gums from inflammation.

If you still fail to protect your teeth, know that you have a secret weapon in reserve. If you stop breastfeeding, you can protect yourself with hormonal contraceptives. The estrogens they contain significantly normalize calcium metabolism, stop tooth decay and prevent the destruction of increased bone fragility in old age.

Medicines during breastfeeding What medications can a nursing mother take, and what can’t she take if she is sick?

Hair – Pregnancy-related causes of hair loss; How to reduce hair loss during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Vision Problems with vision. How quickly will vision be restored after childbirth?

Caries after childbirth - installation of a filling

If after giving birth a woman notices that her tooth hurts, then most likely the cause is caries or pulpitis. What to do in this case? There is no point in postponing treatment, because... Complications may begin. But there are still restrictions, and they are again based on anesthesia, or rather, on the penetration of the drug into breast milk. Therefore, for now, the baby is fed with formula or pre-expressed “frozen”.

On a note! Not all types of tooth decay require anesthesia before treatment. For example, therapy for caries in the “white spot” stage, medium caries, and sometimes the deep stage, is painless and well tolerated without anesthesia.

After childbirth, the patient can have any modern fillings1 - photopolymer, chemical curing, glass ionomer cements. The dentist decides which material is best placed and where – what is more convenient for the doctor to work with, and which material will better demonstrate its qualities in a particular case.

Read on the topic: what kind of fillings are there - TOP 7 materials for filling.

Is dental examination contraindicated during pregnancy?

It’s not for nothing that everyone advises to heal your teeth before pregnancy. After all, once it occurs, dental treatment can be difficult. It should be noted that we are talking about problem teeth, for which a simple filling is not an option. Sometimes, in order to provide qualified assistance, it is necessary to first take a picture of the tooth, and then, depending on the situation, treat or remove it. In the first and last trimesters of pregnancy, X-ray examination is not recommended. However, in the second trimester of pregnancy, the ban on dental x-rays is lifted.

If suddenly a problematic tooth makes itself known at the wrong time, and the doctor insists on taking an image, you should not worry too much about it. Because before taking a picture, the laboratory technician will put on a lead apron, which will protect you from that insignificant dose of X-rays that are necessary in this situation.

To avoid trouble, it is better to inform your dentist about your pregnancy. There is a more gentle research method - computer visiography. In this case, the image of the tooth is displayed on a computer screen, the X-ray beam is more focused, and the dose is approximately 10 times less than when taking a conventional X-ray.

Proper nutrition for nursing mothers

How to preserve a young mother's teeth after childbirth? To do this, you need to eat right - food should be rich in vitamins, minerals and, at the same time, not cause allergies in the baby. Therefore, your daily diet should include fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, hard cheeses), nuts and seeds (for example, sesame, which contains a lot of calcium), lean meat and fish, cereals, fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, and herbs.

Implantation methods recommended for women

To summarize, we can derive several rules that will allow for safe and high-quality implant dental restoration in women at different periods of life:

implantation is not carried out during hormonal changes in the body: during pregnancy, menstruation, as well as for a certain time before and after these periods,
women are recommended to install implants with a smooth surface (entirely or in the cervical area) and an antimicrobial coating, which will reduce the risk of plaque accumulation,
the best choice is implants with a hydrophilic surface and a layer of minerals such as phosphorus, calcium or fluorine. Such designs are characterized by better engraftment, especially with osteoporosis (relevant for patients with menopause),
for edentulous patients, it is recommended to choose implantation methods in which implants are installed in deeper parts of the bone tissue (they are less susceptible to atrophy and inflammation), and the process of their implantation itself is less traumatic.

Expert opinion
Nikolay Vladimirovich Namdakov Maxillofacial surgeon, implantologist, orthopedist Work experience 18+

“Our clinic mainly uses implantation methods with immediate loading, which have significantly fewer contraindications. Naturally, their use is impossible during pregnancy or in case of acute hormonal disorders, however, they are safer in other periods of women’s lives, including those in old age.”

If there are no contraindications, then one-stage implantation will be the best option to solve the problem. If you are planning a pregnancy in the near future, the immediate load on the implant will significantly reduce the treatment time and rehabilitation period.

Read more about immediate loading implantation methods >>>

Breastfeeding and dental caries

It is impossible to overestimate the influence of breast milk on the development of a baby's teeth. It contains substances that increase oral immunity and minerals that strengthen teeth.

Therefore, it is surprising for mothers to hear about the evidence of a connection between early childhood caries and breastfeeding. And on this issue, the opinions of scientists differ: some of them confirm the increase in carious activity with prolonged breastfeeding, some refutes it.

Early childhood caries is a rapid process of destruction of baby teeth in children under 2-3 years of age. In severe form, this manifests itself as brown, dilapidated, painful teeth.

The upper front teeth are the first to be affected, sometimes on the palatal surface, which goes unnoticed. Then the process can be detected on the lateral upper and lower teeth. Only the front teeth of the lower jaw are almost never involved in the process. Breastfeeding and tooth decay - what's the connection?

Before answering this question, we turn to scientific facts about the mechanisms of caries development:

Dental caries occurs when bacteria come into direct contact with food and drinks, which the bacteria convert into acids. The child receives these bacteria from the mother during the first year of life.
The process of caries progression is a regular change of periods of “attack” and “repair”. Breast milk itself is not the best food for bacteria; it is low in sugars. And it contains quite a lot of buffer substances that restore tooth enamel after a period of “attack” by bacterial acids.
Every meal provokes an acid “attack” of bacteria on the teeth. This comes from any type of food: both high and low sugar-containing foods. The “repair” process after an acid “attack” requires about two to three hours. If we eat earlier, the teeth do not have time to recover from previous exposure to acids and the destruction process goes deeper.
caries in children worsens at night. This is due to the slowdown in saliva production during sleep. Saliva is the main source of minerals for repairing teeth. Any food, drink, or even breast milk taken before bed or during the night will stimulate the caries process.

In fact, breastfeeding poses minimal risk of tooth decay and is protective for most children. Its reverse effect can be observed only if the rational feeding regime is violated:

high frequency of feedings;
frequent night feedings;
if you do not clean the baby’s mouth after feeding.

What do other dentists think about it?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has a clear stance on breastfeeding. They fully support breastfeeding. But they warn that the risk of developing carious tooth decay during breastfeeding is the same as when feeding with artificial formula. And it is recommended to avoid night feedings once the first tooth appears in the child’s mouth.

Here are some tips for caring for your child's oral health:

Clean your baby's teeth and gums with a soft cloth or toothbrush after each feeding;
Arrange an initial appointment with a pediatric dentist as soon as the child turns one year old;
teach your child to drink from a cup by the first year of life;
Use preventative programs as recommended by your dentist.

You can get the most out of breastfeeding and avoid tooth decay by following these expert recommendations:

breastfeed your baby for at least one year;
After introducing complementary foods, monitor the frequency of intake of sugar-containing foods. This is one of the most important things that will reduce the likelihood of developing caries.
monitor your child's sleep. According to the recommendations of the American Association of Pediatricians, a child should fall asleep independently without rocking or feeding by 6-8 weeks of age, and sleep through the night by 6 months of age.
Avoid long periods of feeding, especially if the baby falls asleep at the breast.

In general, parents should understand the factors that lead to the development of early childhood caries and be confident that breastfeeding provides only benefits and does not lead to problems.

Alternatives to Dental Implants

removable prosthetics can be performed at any period of a woman’s life, but it is worth remembering that in addition to discomfort and not very aesthetic appearance, the designs lead to bone resorption, i.e. reducing its volume. Therefore, such dentures should be considered only as a temporary option for restoring teeth, for example, during pregnancy or lactation,
Bridge prosthetics is used when several teeth are missing. As with removable dentures, the bridge does not protect the bone tissue from atrophy at all, so it, along with the gums, will sag under the structure. In addition, such dentures are attached to two supporting teeth, and if they are alive and healthy, they will have to be sacrificed - they will be ground into crowns.

It is quite natural that any representative of the fair sex, be it an expectant mother, a woman in the prime of her years or the parent of a lovely baby, always needs to look impeccable and wants to do this as quickly as possible. But still, in some cases, it is better to postpone treatment until the body is completely rehabilitated.