The Feedback Loop of Pregnancy, Oral Health & Fetal Development
Any woman who’s ever been pregnant will tell you that everything changes in those 9 months. Pregnancy is hard on a woman’s body, and that includes her mouth. And just like proper prenatal care includes vitamins and regular visits to the obstetrician, proper prenatal care includes vigilant oral care.
Pregnancy leaves women more susceptible to developing dental problems, and those dental issues can then affect the development of the fetus and, eventually, the health of the baby. And, hey, sometimes we all need a little extra help. There’s nothing wrong with seeing your dentist a couple extra times while you wait for your baby to come.
Complications in Dental Health for Mom
Some of the complications women can experience in their dental health during pregnancy are endemic, but some are also caused by lax dental care.
Lifestyle issues include:
- Being super-tired and super-busy can lead to nights of skipping flossing, brushing, or both. It’s also pretty easy to justify skipping a dental cleaning purely because you’re busy, exhausted, and tired of being in medical offices. This can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
- Giving into those pregnancy cravings, whether it’s a fruit, sugary drink, potato chips or ho-ho’s, can be dangerous to your teeth and gums, especially if you’re also skipping regular at-home dental care.
Endemic issues include:
- Hormonal changes, besides changing eating habits, leaves you more susceptible to developing gingivitis, periodontitis and cavities. It’s estimated that 2/3 or more of women experience gingivitis during pregnancy.
- Morning sickness exposes your teeth and gums to stomache acid. And while you shouldn’t brush your teeth immediately after getting sick, because the acid has already softened the enamel, swishing with water, and drinking water throughout the day can help mitigate this.
- High levels of estrogen can cause temporary bone problems, including loose teeth.
- Pregnancy often causes non-cancerous, but nevertheless, uncomfortable, tumors in the mouth.
How Mom’s Oral Health Affects Baby
Just as pregnancy affects oral health of the mom, the mom’s oral health affects the baby, both during development, and even in the child’s early life:
- Periodontitis (gum disease) is linked to lower birth weights and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Kids are 3x more likely to have dental problems if their mom’s had cavities and gum disease during pregnancy.
- Bad bacteria in the mom’s mouth can be passed to the fetus during pregnancy, contributing to risks of premature birth. Excessive bacteria in the mouth can also affect a newborn’s health.
Taking Care of the Two of You
Obviously, you want your little bundle of joy to come into the world in the best health possible. One of the best ways to start your pregnancy off on the right foot, oral health-wise, is to get a dental cleaning at a local practice as soon as you know you’re pregnant. That way, you start off the 9 months with a fresh dental exam and a fresh mouth.
During pregnancy, it’s important to monitor your dental health via x-rays, exams and cleanings. And while you shouldn’t undergo any unnecessary procedures, you can still get dental treatment for urgent problems. Make sure you let your dentist know everything: what you’re eating, what you’re doing for dental care at home, what medications you’re on, etc.
As soon after birth as possible, especially if you’ve had oral health issues during pregnancy, go see your dentist again. Make sure you get any dental treatment you need so you don’t pass bad mouth bacteria onto your newborn.
We know pregnancy is a stressful and exhausting time, and you’ve got a bunch of people in your ear giving you advice you don’t need on breastfeeding, attachment parenting, sleep-training – everyone’s got an opinion. But this advice might prove pretty vital: even if you’re tired, don’t forget to take care of your teeth and gums. It’s just as important for your baby as it is for you.