Towards the end of the diaper and romper period, it can be scary to look into your mouth. Concern is brought not only by the lack of shine of teeth, but also by their outstanding fragility. The constant presence of dental chips in the mouth causes irritation. There is no need to talk about the absorption of fruits at all, only in grated form - the teeth do not tolerate stress. Let's add to this increased bleeding and salivation.
In order for the child to be born healthy and beautiful, and for the expectant mother to maintain a dazzlingly attractive smile, it is necessary to listen to the advice of specialists.
Forgotten caries
Everyone advises planning a pregnancy, but in some situations it is quite difficult. Pregnancy does not always occur when you want it. In some situations, you have to wait for years for the appearance of a lucky star. Preparations can take so long that it’s easy to forget about pregnancy. And there is no need to talk about a random “vagrant bird”. In general, the first thing a pregnant woman needs to do after returning from the gynecologist is to make an appointment with the dentist. The feeling of complete health is often apparent. A careful examination of the dentition will definitely reveal a couple of holes.
Caries is based on three main problems: damage to the enamel, eating a lot of sweets and microflora in the mouth.
During pregnancy, all three causes are hypertrophied. Frequent vomiting in the first trimester can lead to “acidification” of saliva. Increased appetite contributes to the consumption of more easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, chocolate, etc.).
In an acidic environment and in the presence of carbohydrates, microflora develops quickly. A vicious circle is formed. Microorganisms, breaking down sugar, contribute to even greater acidification of saliva and destroy enamel. Considering the causes of caries, it becomes clear how important prevention is.
Treatment of caries during pregnancy is not contraindicated, rather the opposite. All kinds of holes in the teeth, even small ones, should be healed. Remember that a small hole can be the entrance to a larger cave.
There are no restrictions regarding the filling material. Moreover, it is better to use a fluoride filling material (which uses a special lamp to cure).
Superficial caries, as a rule, does not require mandatory anesthesia. But if ordinary caries is complicated by the development of pulpitis, then you cannot do without an anesthetic. The doctor will select the safest drug.
I feel what I feel in my teeth
During pregnancy, it is especially important to eat right.
However, if hot and cold dishes cause severe aching pain, appetite disappears, in this case at least two suffer (mother and fetus).
The problem of increased tooth sensitivity is associated with the thinning of the enamel, which, like a shell, covers the underlying dentin, enveloping the vessels and the actual sources of pain - the nerves. The appearance of pain is an impetus that forces you to go to the dentist. There may be several reasons for thinning enamel. One of them, the most common, is the loss of calcium by the enamel, as a result of insufficient intake from food and increased consumption by the body. Another reason is early toxicosis, which was already mentioned above. Another reason that is not related to pregnancy, but does occur, is the wrong choice of toothpaste.
Toothpastes of the “Sensitive” type have been developed especially for those with teeth with increased sensitivity.
According to dentists, the most common cause of tooth sensitivity is improper brushing.
To learn how to properly brush your teeth, you must contact a dental center. Training is carried out individually in one session. The cost of this procedure is about 300 rubles. As a rule, the dentist invites the pregnant woman for a follow-up cleaning. To assess whether the patient is coping with the task correctly or not.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by cervical caries, when a hole in the tooth is located at its base, next to the gum. Then the solution to the problem is only a filling in the problem area. If tooth sensitivity does not decrease, despite all efforts, then “Sensigel” will help, it contains special substances that reduce tooth sensitivity. The cost of the drug is 180-190 rubles. The dental office has pharmacological agents to reduce tooth sensitivity that have a prolonged effect (up to 6 months), but the cost of the procedure is much more expensive.
Is it allowed to treat teeth during pregnancy?
Of course yes, and sometimes it’s simply necessary. A problematic oral cavity is not only decayed teeth, bad breath and unbearable pain in an inflamed tooth, but primarily the cause of the appearance and spread of infection, which must be prevented and treated at an early stage of pregnancy.
If the situation has already become complicated, the infection will spread throughout the body with pieces of food, saliva and blood. A particularly dangerous situation is when the inflammation is already located near the tooth roots, where blood vessels and bone tissue are located.
Even if during pregnancy a dental infection did not harm either the woman or the child in any way, this can happen after childbirth. After all, every mother loves to kiss and hug her newborn baby, and along with tenderness, the mother passes on her microflora to the child, including a tooth infection. If bacteria enter a child's body that is still fragile after birth, this can lead to many serious problems.
Bleeding Gums
If you suddenly notice that while brushing your teeth, traces of blood remain on the brush, and when you further rinse your mouth, the foam from the toothpaste turns pink, this means that you have increased bleeding gums. Increased bleeding is a warning sign that all is not well.
Healthy teeth do not necessarily mean healthy gums. Increased bleeding of gums during pregnancy is not uncommon. It may be due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body. To solve this problem, you need to consult a doctor. In this case, the diagnosis sounds like this: “gingivitis of pregnant women.”
To prevent the occurrence of this unpleasant disease, plaque should be removed and tartar in the subgingival area should be removed. In a dental office, these procedures are performed using different techniques. One of them, the so-called “air flow,” is carried out without the use of a bur and without a tip. A stream of air, water and powder flows under pressure. In this way, plaque and partially tartar are removed. This procedure is also called gentle whitening, since the teeth are restored to their natural shine and whiteness, and the enamel structure does not deteriorate.
Another method of preventing gingivitis allows you to completely remove massive deposits of tartar. It requires the use of ultrasound. The procedure is completed by polishing the teeth and coating them with a special fluoride varnish. Both “air flow” and other methods will require significant material costs. The cost is approximately the same - 80-90 rubles per tooth.
As a rule, gum inflammation is caused by “harmful” microflora of the oral cavity.
A number of toothpastes, including extracts of medicinal plants, have an antiseptic effect. Additions of chamomile, calendula, and sage relieve inflammation and strengthen the gums. To enhance the effect of the paste, it is supplied with a complex of vitamins.
If, however, gingivitis does develop, then after removing plaque and tartar, the dentist will most likely suggest using a special gel for the gums; you can read about it in more detail in the “review of oral hygiene products for pregnant women.”
The gel is used in addition to toothpaste, and not instead. If the manifestations of gingivitis are severe, then gingival anti-inflammatory dressings are used. The course is 3-10 sessions. They contribute to the rapid subsidence of the inflammatory process and reduce bleeding.
It is worth checking your toothbrush; sometimes the reasons for increased bleeding of the gums are quite commonplace - the bristles are too hard.
Increased bleeding may be a symptom of a more serious disease - periodontitis. Periodontium is the soft tissue surrounding the tooth. Their inflammation is periodontitis. It is quite severe and can result in the loss of healthy teeth.
When you can't do without dental x-rays
Blind dental treatment is not recommended for anyone, especially expectant mothers. Thanks to an x-ray, the doctor sees the cause of toothache, the location and form of the inflammatory process, and other important nuances.
Diagnostics is prescribed for:
- filling root canals for pulpitis - it is necessary to determine the shape and length of the canal;
- problematic growth of eights;
- formation of cysts, granulomas and other neoplasms;
- suspected periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontal tissues);
- fracture or tooth root injury.
I don't want to eat, but my mouth is watering
During pregnancy, drooling is common. This type of toxicosis does not pose a threat when it is moderate. Sometimes drooling is a consequence of uncontrollable vomiting. When it takes on a grandiose scale, solivation can reach 1 liter per day.
In this case, the appetite is impaired, the patient loses weight, her health worsens, and the patient must be admitted to a hospital. Treatment is necessary to avoid significant fluid loss. Moreover, with severe salivation, maceration of the skin around the mouth occurs, which can become an entry point for infection.
Some toothpastes have astringent properties: “Localut”, “Oral B”, etc. To prevent irritation, apply a rich cream to the facial skin. X-RAY
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.
Is it possible for pregnant women to have their teeth cleaned in Moscow?
On specialized forums for expectant mothers, debates regarding the possibility of dental treatment continue. Meanwhile, the best specialists in the capital urge you not to discuss problematic issues with your friends, but to seek advice from experienced dentists who have all the necessary knowledge and skills. When prescribing any dental procedures, the following are always taken into account:
- the degree of their need;
- gestational age;
- general health of the patient.
Accordingly, if the dentist sees the need to remove tartar and soft deposits, he will act in tandem with the gynecologist. Contraindications may include both pregnancy pathologies and acute or existing chronic diseases of the patient.
Healthy teeth for the father and mother are the key to healthy teeth for the child
Already in the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, the rudiments of the baby’s teeth are formed. If the mother has a “bad” mouth by this period of pregnancy, then the process of mineralization of the fetal tooth buds is disrupted, which over time will lead to problems for the child, both with milk and permanent teeth.
For normal growth of bones and tissues of the unborn child, in addition to other minerals, sufficient amounts of calcium and fluoride are necessary. A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, D, minerals, plus nutritional supplements or prenatal vitamins will fully compensate the body and promote good overall health and normal dental development for the baby. Nutritional supplements and vitamin-calcium complexes are individually selected by a gynecologist.
Foods richest in calcium: milk and dairy products, kale, broccoli, spinach, baby turnips. Calcium is best absorbed from fish products.
A lack of calcium may be indicated by seizures and tooth decay in the mother. If symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. You should not take calcium supplements on your own, as an excess of it will lead to skeletal disorders in the fetus.
However, the quality of the baby’s teeth depends not only on the condition of the mother’s teeth. Half of all dental problems in babies are caused by their father. No matter how much a pregnant woman takes care of her mouth, when communicating with her husband, kissing him, she transfers “harmful” microflora into her oral cavity. The husband should have all his teeth treated after, or better yet before, he finds out about his wife’s pregnancy.
There probably won’t be a parent who hasn’t hugged and kissed their barely born child. Every kiss is a swarm of microorganisms, and not always harmless ones.
Be it a father, grandfather or grandmother, everyone considers it their duty to cuddle and breathe on the baby. Before allowing all relatives near the baby, a prudent mother should first send her household members to the dentist's line.
Dental treatment at different stages of pregnancy
The period of bearing a child is usually divided into three main stages (trimesters), each of which is 13-14 weeks. This is due to changes in the development of the fetus and the barrier function of the placenta, which protects against negative influences from the outside.
1st trimester
- the most dangerous period for any medical interventions. Until the implantation of a fertilized egg (usually on the 17th day), the embryo is critically susceptible to any stress and toxins, and dental treatment at this time can lead to spontaneous abortion. Then the formation of tissues and organs of the embryo begins, and taking drugs can cause severe disruption of these processes. In the first trimester, only acute diseases that are accompanied by pain and purulent discharge can be treated: the solution to any other problems must be postponed until the 14th week.
2nd trimester
- a relatively favorable period for treatment. The main stage of organ laying has ended, and the placenta has formed and reliably protects the fetus. During these periods, professional hygiene can be carried out, as well as dental therapy, the condition of which may worsen in the third trimester. But it is still better to postpone any non-urgent procedures until the postpartum period.
Dental treatment in the 3rd trimester
complicated by the high weight of the fetus, which puts pressure on the mother’s inferior vena cava and aorta, causing her to experience discomfort while lying in the dentist’s chair. In addition, in late pregnancy, the placenta becomes thinner and no longer performs its barrier function so well. Dental treatment at 34 weeks of pregnancy is still possible, but later only emergency intervention can be performed. Dental treatment at 38 weeks of pregnancy is completely prohibited: the risk of labor is high.
Germs and prevention
Expectant mothers simply have to watch their mouth. Severe microbial infection of the teeth and gums of the expectant mother can serve a very sad purpose. Poor hygiene facilitates the unhindered penetration of bacteria from the mother’s mouth into the body of her baby. To prevent unpleasant consequences it is necessary:
- Brush your teeth after each meal for 2-3 minutes, since the action of the antibacterial and mineral components of toothpastes occurs when the paste is in the mouth for at least this time.
- Use additional oral hygiene products (gels, rinses, breath fresheners).
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months.
- Carry out professional teeth cleaning at least once every 4 months, and after childbirth - once every 6 months.
The most favorable times for dental treatment during pregnancy:
1st visit - at 6-9 weeks of pregnancy, 2nd visit - at 16-18 weeks, 3rd - at 26-28 weeks, 4th and last visit - before birth at 36 -38th week of pregnancy.
Before pregnancy and after childbirth, optimal special periods are not established.
What expectant mothers are afraid of: not everything is so scary!
Whether pregnant women can have their teeth brushed depends on the woman’s individual characteristics, stage of pregnancy and health status. You will have to visit a doctor, but before that you need to undergo an examination by a gynecologist and make sure that there are no contraindications for cleaning:
- Problems in the health of the expectant mother - cardiac dysfunction, viral and colds, HIV infection, etc.
- Pregnancy pathologies, such as uterine hypertonicity, fetal hypoxia, hormonal disorders.
- If there are implants in the mouth, this is reported to the doctor (as well as a possible pacemaker).
- If anesthesia is needed, stop at local.
Important! The first trimester, up to the 12th week inclusive, is considered an undesirable period for the cleaning procedure. At this time, it can be dangerous to treat teeth, because the placenta has not yet formed, and the embryo is not protected from the effects of medications. A sharp release of adrenaline by the mother’s body due to fear of pain will also have a negative impact.
In the third trimester, the risk of uterine hypertonicity and premature birth increases. The ideal period when it is possible to perform dental manipulations is the 2nd trimester. The fetal body is actively developing, the skeletal system is being formed. At this time, he actively uses calcium, phosphorus, fluorine from the mother’s body - her teeth suffer. If a woman feels well and has a high pain threshold (not sensitive to minor pain), she can have her teeth brushed during pregnancy at any stage.
Important! If there is a choice between an acute sense of fear or mild anesthesia, it is better to choose the latter option.
It is necessary to remember that drugs based on the anesthetic substance articaine (“Ultracaine”) are considered relatively harmless. Before use, the dentist must find out if there is an allergy to it.
“Tooth rash” after childbirth?
I hope that the child was not born in pain? In order for the child to grow and develop quickly, nature provided the woman with a source of nutrition for the baby - milk. Constant production of a nutritious product is possible only with a regular supply of necessary vitamins from outside. If the teeth have withstood the stress of pregnancy, this does not mean that the feeding process will go unnoticed. It happens that during feeding, teeth simply “melt” before our eyes. What's happening?
Apparently, there is a lack of calcium (or fluorine) in the body. In order to prevent possible destruction, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of minerals, taking into account the consumption for the formation of milk. The mammary glands produce about a liter of milk per day (or even more).
Dental prosthetics and pregnancy
This problem is especially relevant during late pregnancy. After 30 years, it is difficult to find a woman who has not lost at least one tooth. And if there are no teeth or they require removal, then the question of prosthetics arises. Anyone who has already received their “bridge” or “implant” knows how much time, effort and money goes into this process (in any case, a good half of the pregnancy can pass).
Is it possible to have dental prosthetics during pregnancy? Yes, you can. When using modern materials, prosthetics can be completed in 2 weeks. This process will require 2-3 visits. If pregnancy occurs after the start of the prosthetic process, then it is necessary to complete it, since against the background of hormonal changes in the body, the teeth may become loose, change the position and inclination, which will further complicate prosthetics.
Implantation is out of the question, since this is a surgical operation, it is difficult to perform and complications may occur.
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Implantation in installments regularly
The promotion operates regularly and applies to patients who require implantation.
What is professional hygiene and why do pregnant women need it?
The most modern and very useful device for home hygiene is an irrigator. It not only helps clean out food debris in hard-to-reach places, but also massages the gums when used correctly and regularly.
However, unfortunately, daily home treatments cannot fully ensure ideal oral health without professional procedures. It is possible to completely remove soft plaque in hard-to-reach places, and most importantly, hard dental deposits only with professional teeth cleaning, which is required even more often during pregnancy.
To the question whether it is possible to clean tartar for pregnant women, modern dentistry gives an unequivocally positive answer. Teeth cleaning for pregnant women is usually carried out in a standard manner, but the doctor always takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient, clinical manifestations, general condition, term and well-being of the expectant mother, as well as her mood and wishes.
What is included in the complex of professional hygiene for pregnant women
The standard complex includes the following steps:
- Complaints, examination and history taking
. The doctor examines the oral cavity, asks the patient questions about health, well-being, the presence of chronic diseases, allergic reactions, and the course of pregnancy. - Removal of tartar
using an ultrasonic device, and removal of pigmented plaque with the Air Flow system. To remove tartar, pregnant women most often use ultrasonic cleaning. To remove soft plaque during pregnancy, Air Flow is used, but with limitations, which we will talk about below. - Grinding and polishing
. Grinding and polishing of teeth is done using a machine brush and a special paste. After polishing, the surface of the teeth becomes shiny and absolutely smooth. This gives a pleasant visual effect (teeth become whiter), a very pleasant sensation, and most importantly, the smooth surface prevents the accumulation of new plaque. - Coating of teeth with varnish
(remineralization). After all the manipulations, the doctor covers the surface of the teeth with preparations containing fluoride and calcium. This helps strengthen and restore tooth enamel, prevent caries and reduce tooth sensitivity. - Preventive actions
. During the consultation, the doctor gives recommendations on the specifics of dental care during pregnancy, proper nutrition, daily oral hygiene, rational choice of brushes and pastes, and teaches how to use dental floss and irrigator correctly.
Photos of the dental offices of the clinic Our Dentist in Krasnogorsk
(images are clickable)
Is it possible to remove tartar during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman's body works differently than it normally does. Physiological changes affect almost all organs and systems, including the oral cavity.
Pregnant women are more susceptible to dental diseases; the processes proceed faster and more aggressively. Periodontal tissues are also affected by pregnancy, and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and the tissues surrounding the tooth (periodontitis) often occurs. They become loose, quickly and easily inflame, are often injured by solid food, bleed and hurt.
- Immunity decreases
. This is a physiological process aimed at bearing a child (so that the fetus is not perceived by the mother’s body as something foreign). However, decreased immunity contributes to the exacerbation of chronic diseases and the body's vulnerability to infections. - Hormonal levels change completely
. Due to changes in hormonal levels, the acid-base composition of saliva also changes. It significantly loses its bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties. - Unhealthy eating habits are formed
. Many pregnant women sin with constant snacking, and the share of starchy and sweet foods increases significantly, which aggravates the situation, since food remains are almost constantly present in the oral cavity. In combination with other processes, this significantly accelerates the proliferation of bacteria, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to suppress their activity. - There is a deficiency of vitamins and microelements
. During the formation of a child’s organs and systems, the need for microelements increases significantly. The need for calcium is especially high: it is the main material for the formation of the baby’s skeleton, nails and teeth. With its deficiency, the mother’s body intensively “gives” all the incoming calcium to the fetus, and due to the resulting deficiency, its own tissues begin to deteriorate, primarily the teeth. - Insufficient attention is paid to oral hygiene
. Bleeding and swelling of the gums, increased sensitivity of teeth are common complaints among women. Brushing teeth for pregnant women often causes discomfort, so some people simply refuse it. It turns out to be a vicious circle: the less often you brush your teeth, the faster plaque accumulates and mineralizes, and the worse the condition of your teeth and gums.
The nuances of professional teeth cleaning for pregnant women
Many women ask the doctor the question: is it possible to clean tartar during pregnancy? Of course it is necessary. However, it is better to do this in advance, at the planning stage, just like a full renovation.
Professional hygiene carried out before pregnancy will not save you from the need to repeat the procedure in the next 9 months, because doctors recommend repeating the hygiene complex twice a year. However, the amount of work, and therefore possible problems, will be much less.
During this period, you need to visit the dentist even more often, approximately once every 3-4 months. Regular brushing of teeth during pregnancy will make it possible to use the most gentle methods possible, practically without resorting to an ultrasonic scaler.
Ultrasonic cleaning for pregnant women and their babies is not harmful, but can cause discomfort due to increased tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation or other unpleasant symptoms.
Our dentists try to carry out the procedure as gently as possible. We choose tactics depending on the specific case, based on the woman’s condition, characteristics and duration of pregnancy.
The optimal time for ultrasonic cleaning for pregnant women is the second trimester
. During this period, you can get rid of even old deposits with minimal risks. Whether it is possible to remove tartar for pregnant women at an earlier or later stage is decided individually, depending on the condition of the teeth, gums, and general well-being of the pregnant woman.
If there are advanced deposits, cleaning may cause pain. If for other patients this manipulation can be performed under injection anesthesia and even sedation, then in the case of pregnant women, doctors use more gentle application methods. They consist of using safe pain-relieving sprays and gels.
Is it possible to do ultrasonic teeth cleaning for pregnant women?
Ultrasonic cleaning for pregnant women involves the use of a special device - an ultrasonic scaler. The device generates ultrasonic waves of a given frequency, which easily and quickly destroy hard dental deposits.
This is an absolutely safe method for both the woman and the baby. The effects of the scaler are similar to those experienced by a child during routine ultrasounds, so there is no need to worry about unwanted reactions in this regard.
When considering the question of whether it is possible to do ultrasonic cleaning of a pregnant woman’s teeth, the dentist not only takes into account the nature of the deposits and gestational age, but also finds out whether there are any contraindications to the procedure.
In particular, ultrasonic cleaning for pregnant women does not include increased tooth sensitivity, exposure of tooth necks, or the development of cervical caries.
Air Flow during pregnancy: are there any contraindications?
Air Flow is one of the most popular procedures, an ideal way for high-quality professional dental hygiene. In this case, the destructive effect on plaque is carried out using a device that supplies a water-abrasive mixture. The Air Flow technique is the most effective for removing pigmented soft plaque. If there is no tartar, then this is enough for high-quality cleaning of hard-to-reach places from dental plaque.
Air Flow is used with some restrictions during pregnancy. General contraindications include bronchial asthma, allergies, specific rhinitis (runny nose) of pregnant women, and increased sensitivity of teeth. But this does not mean that the question of whether it is possible to brush your teeth during pregnancy should be given a negative answer. In such cases, doctors use traditional mechanical methods of plaque removal.
Prevention of dental and gum diseases during pregnancy
Oral hygiene is one of the most important tasks facing expectant mothers. With improper or insufficient care, the condition of teeth and gums can seriously deteriorate in just a few weeks.
Fortunately, in most cases, to prevent dental diseases, regular hygiene procedures, periodic professional cleaning and following simple nutritional rules are sufficient.
For the health of gums and teeth during pregnancy, it is recommended:
- Brush your teeth not only in the morning and evening, but also every time after a meal (even a snack).
- Choose brushes with soft bristles and therapeutic and prophylactic pastes containing calcium, phosphates, magnesium, fluorides, and medicinal plant extracts.
- Use mouthwash (without ethyl alcohol), dental floss, and irrigator.
- Eat rationally, maintaining the optimal amount of vitamins C, A, D, E and group B, calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, magnesium, other trace elements and mineral salts.
- Do not skip routine dental examinations and strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.
If you visit the dentist for cleaning once every 3-4 months, microbial plaque simply will not have time to mineralize, that is, turn into tartar. This means that there will be no need to use ultrasound and air flow, and the risks of developing serious dental diseases will be minimized.
We invite you to the dental clinic “Our Dentist”. At a free consultation, the doctor will assess the condition of your teeth and gums and give recommendations on their treatment and hygiene. Make an appointment by phone or through the website and our dentist will be yours!
Your calls are always welcome! 8 915-367-04-47 - call, make an appointment, come for a free initial consultation, and Our Dentist will become yours!
Dear patients! All prices on the site are valid only at the time of publication. The specialist will inform you about the exact cost and scope of necessary procedures after consultation.
Author of the material: Chief Dentistry Doctor “Our Dentist” Oleg Nikolevich Sharmay.
Rotten tooth! Delete or wait?
Elena K.: “Before pregnancy, I had very bad teeth, some required removal, and I didn’t have enough time and courage to go to the dentist. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm afraid of being completely without teeth. What is the best thing to do?
Due to the environment, not everyone can boast of healthy and white teeth, especially those with average and low incomes. So if pregnancy threatens to deprive you of your last teeth, you need to take immediate action. Remove all rotten, damaged teeth that cannot be restored. Firstly, this will eliminate the source of infection from the mouth, and secondly, diseased teeth tend to worsen during childbirth. And then you may have to give birth in the dentist’s office with an acute toothache.
Thanks to the development of new anesthetics that do not pass through the blood-placental barrier, removal will not be a particular problem. New drugs “Ubistezin” and “Ultracain DS” will provide fast and reliable anesthesia.
The safest time for tooth extraction is the 3-6th month of pregnancy.
Which is more harmful: radiation or disease?
If we compare the harm from pulpitis with the harm from an x-ray of a tooth, then we can say with confidence that pulpitis is much more harmful for both the mother and the unborn child. The main aspects of this disease that can harm the fetus are as follows:
- Pulpitis weakens the mother's immune system. The constant inflammatory process inside the tooth forces the immune system to wage a constant battle, making the body vulnerable to colds and other diseases.
- Toothache deprives a mother of sleep. Since exacerbations of pulpitis most often occur at night, the patient is deprived of rest, which exhausts the nervous system in the same way as severe stress.
- Untreated pulpitis can lead to an increase in body temperature.
- Constant pain itself causes a lot of stress.
- Toothache interferes with normal nutrition.
Pulpitis of the tooth
Thus, an acute toothache can become a more serious test for the mother and her unborn child than instantaneous irradiation of the tooth.
Addition! Severe nervous shock associated with pain or fear can even lead to miscarriage.
Regular toothbrush or electric?
During the first half of pregnancy, a medium-hard toothbrush is suitable. By the third trimester, it is better to choose a soft brush, as this will avoid bleeding gums. Of course, unless there is a tendency to form hard plaque.
If you are used to using an electric toothbrush, then it is better to put it aside during pregnancy and use it only occasionally. Undoubtedly, the electric miracle removes plaque better. However, it has a greater traumatic effect on the gums than a regular toothbrush, and the gums are perhaps one of the most vulnerable places in a pregnant woman’s mouth.
If you really want to thoroughly clean your teeth, leave this procedure to a professional. Cleaning your teeth at the dentist's office will cost about 1,000 rubles.
Other Dangers Associated with Dental Treatment
So, the radiation intensity during dental x-rays is too low, but dental treatment is not absolutely safe for the fetus, because there are other factors, such as:
- The influence of anesthesia and other drugs. X-rays are usually done for pulpitis, and this disease requires local anesthesia, since otherwise the pain will be unbearable. In addition, after filling a tooth, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are prescribed.
- Fear of toothache. The fear experienced when visiting the dentist can harm the fetus no less than medications.
Removing dental pulp
Important! Some medications used to kill the nerve contain toxic substances. In terms of harm caused, they exceed the radiation exposure from a dental x-ray by thousands of times.
