The hormone progesterone softens your body tissues during pregnancy. Gum infections such as gingivitis and other problems result from this softening and the increased blood volume present during pregnancy.
More blood also puts pressure on the capillariesTiny blood vessels approximately 0.008mm in diameter that allows the blood to exchange substances with the body tissue cells. The walls of the capillaries consist of a single layer of endothelial cells.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. around the gums and puffiness and bleeding while cleaning are common symptoms during pregnancy.
It is important during pregnancy to visit your dentist for a checkup so that your teeth can be cleaned and your gums checked for infections. Your dentist will remind you of the importance of a balanced diet, with sufficient calcium, protein and vitamins B, C and D to protect your teeth and gums.
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
Tell your dentist you are pregnant during your visit. Your dentist will make sure that unnecessary anestheticsAn agent or process that removes the body's sensitivity to pain. Anesthetics are usually medically administered chemicals, although they include other forms such as hypnosis, or the body's own ability to cause numbness through shock.
Anesthetics can either be local, whereby only a portion of the body or an individual organ is desensitized or general, in which the entire body is desensitized, with the result the patient is often temporarily unconcious.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. and x-rays are avoided, and will postpone certain procedures until the second trimester or after the delivery of your baby.
You may notice a nodule on your gum called a pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy tumor that bleeds during cleaning or while eating. Although uncomfortable this condition is not dangerous and usually clears up after delivery although you may want to discuss it with your dentist during a routine checkup.
While it is important to visit the dentist during pregnancy, your dentist will recommend that you avoid or limit some procedures until after the baby is born. If x-rays are necessary your dentist will direct them away from your baby and cover your abdomen with a lead shield.
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
Most dentists consider local anestheticAn agent or process that removes the body's sensitivity to pain. Anesthetics are usually medically administered chemicals, although they include other forms such as hypnosis, or the body's own ability to cause numbness through shock.
Anesthetics can either be local, whereby only a portion of the body or an individual organ is desensitized or general, in which the entire body is desensitized, with the result the patient is often temporarily unconcious.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. the safest form of anesthesia during pregnancy and will avoid using a general anesthetic, nitrous oxide or intravenous sedatives. Any elective procedures should be postponed until after the baby is born, although urgent procedures such as a broken tooth should be performed immediately.
If you have a problem such as a root canal, which may require taking antibiotics before the procedure, you will need to discuss the best course of action with both your dentist and your doctor. The risks of taking antibiotics during pregnancy must be weighed against the risk of harming the developing baby through infection.
While drinking fluoridated water is considered helpful in preventing caries in adults, the American Dental Association does not endorse additional fluoride supplementation during pregnancy. Too much fluoride may result in mottled tooth enamel, a condition called dental fluorosis, in developing teeth.
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
