What many people do not realise is that infant oral health care begins long before your child is born.
A pregnant woman’s overall systemic and oral health have huge effects on her developing foetus and its future health. Pregnancy-associated hormonal changes can lead to a pregnancy gingivitis which is most prevalent in the second trimester and peaks in the eighth month of pregnancy.
This is often accompanied by increased levels of more periodontally destructive forms of bacteria and exacerbated by poor oral hygiene, increased snacking, and high-carbohydrate intake.
This in turn can lead to a severe pregnancy periodontitis (inflamed gums, deep pockets, bone loss, loose teeth). Periodontal disease during pregnancy (through the release of prostaglandins) has been scientifically linked to adverse outcomes such as pre-term and/or low-birth-weight babies and pre-eclampsia.
Furthermore, toxemia related to dental abscesses has been shown to cause hearing loss and other birth defects in the unborn child. Lastly, don’t forget dental caries is an infectious disease whose mode of transmission is, by and large, vertically from the mother/primary caregiver to the infant soon after birth.
What can pregnant mothers do?
Seek dental treatment: keep in mind that the higher the levels of maternal MS (Mutans Streptococci – primary cavity causing bugs), the greater the risk to the infant. It is therefore of the highest priority that as much dental disease as possible be eliminated from the expectant mother’s oral cavity prior to her child’s birth.
The earlier the transmission of MS to the infant or child, the higher the risk of developing ECC (Early Childhood Caries) – the more destructive form of the disease. Yes, dental treatment can be safely accomplished during pregnancy and is highly recommended by the AAPD as the risks (to your child) of leaving periodontal disease or dental caries in your mouth far outweigh the risks of treatment.
Contact your paediatric dentist for more information on the ideal treatment times during pregnancy
Hygiene appointments: the first comprehensive hygiene appointment should ideally be completed at the time that you first decide to get pregnant. Otherwise, as soon as possible after conception. It is imperative that your hygienist eliminate any contributing factors (plaque, calculus, etc.,) to periodontal disease. A second hygiene appointment is strongly recommended in the third trimester if home care is still inadequate or there are on-going periodontal problems
Oral home care: the dentist and hygienist can only do so much. It is up to you, the expectant mother, to also do her part. After review of current oral hygiene practices, you must establish (for yourself and your baby) adequate home care. This involves twice daily brushing with an ADA approved fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing. It is also strongly recommended by the AAPD that expectant mothers get into the habit of chewing gum that contains Xylitol – a non-cariogenic (cavity causing) sugar substitute that has been scientifically proven to be antimicrobial (especially towards MS), reduce plaque formation, and inhibit enamel demineralisation.
There are many other do’s and don’ts concerning the pregnant woman which directly concern her developing unborn child. As life is a team approach, it is important that you also consult, and receive guidance from, your family MD or paediatrician as well.
Sean A. Childers, BSc, DMD, MSc, FRCD is a board-certified paediatric dentist based in the Cayman Islands
Related Videos
