Pregnancy creates many changes, your mouth is one of them.
Regular visits to the dentist both before, and during pregnancy, is recommended to ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy. As many women experience bleeding gums during pregnancy, visiting your dentist regularly for a scale and clean, together with good oral hygiene which includes brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and flossing regularly, is imperative.
While many treatments are elective and usually postponed until after pregnancy, there is care that a pregnant woman needs and sometimes treatment cannot wait, but can be done with minimal risk. Consultation with a woman’s physician also helps minimize risks.
FIRST TRIMESTER
A dental exam and routine hygiene care (cleaning) is important so that the irritants (plaque and calculus) that lead to gingival inflammation and cavities, can be removed. Other dental treatment is usually postponed until after the pregnancy, and more pressing treatment is delayed until the second trimester, if possible.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Routine hygiene care again is advisable. Necessary dental treatment is relatively safe and comfortable for the woman at this stage.
THIRD TRIMESTER
If needed, due to inflammation or swelling of the gums, another hygiene appointment may be appropriate, but early in this trimester is the best time. Appointments are kept short as the woman is usually uncomfortable reclining in the dental chair.
