During pregnancy, it is very important for a woman to visit the dentist frequently to maintain good oral health, as she is more likely to develop dental problems, such as gingivitis or cavities, due to hormonal changes characteristic of pregnancy.
While it is recommended to go to the dentist, additional precautions are required, avoiding highly invasive or prolonged procedures and the administration of certain medications.
- Pregnant women are more likely to experience gum inflammation because of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
- Hormones circulate in higher concentrations.
- Enter tissues and pass into saliva.
- Making tissues.
- That is.
- Gums.
- More sensitive to changes.
Progestin contributes to increase the permeability of the gum capillaries and reduces immune response and estrogens increase gum vascularity, promoting bleeding and increasing saliva pH, promoting an increase in bacterial plaque.
In addition, changing meal times, eating between meals and the acidic erosion of teeth caused by vomiting can also increase the risk of developing dental problems.
All of these factors create adverse conditions in the oral environment that can lead to the development of:
Gingivitis is characterized by a bright red gum color, with a smooth and shiny surface texture, with loss of elasticity and increased tendency to bleed, very common during pregnancy, affecting a large percentage of pregnant women.
Gingivitis usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and can develop into periodontitis if left untreated, hence the importance of consulting the dentist. Learn how to identify symptoms of gingivitis and how treatment is performed.
Granuloma consists of the appearance of asymptomatic thickening of the gums, which is intense red and bleeds easily.
These thickenings usually go away after delivery, so they should be removed by surgery. Only cases with excessive bleeding or impaired oral functions, which need to be involved, preferably in the second trimester
Changes during pregnancy promote the development of cavities, which consist of a dental infection caused by bacteria naturally present in the mouth, which puncture the enamel of the teeth, which can cause pain. Learn how to identify tooth decay.
Ideally, invest in prevention, maintain good oral hygiene, and consult your dentist frequently to avoid the onset of dental problems. If treatment is needed, certain precautions may need to be taken with respect to certain procedures or medication administration.
General anesthesia should be avoided and local anesthesia should be preferred. Local anesthetics are safe throughout the gestation period, without contraindications for use, with the exception of mepivacaine and bupivacaine. Although they have the ability to cross the placental barrier, they are not related to teratogenic effects. The most commonly used anesthetic solution is 2% lidocaine with epinephrine.
Radiation should be avoided during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. However, if this is really necessary, precautions should be taken to avoid harm to the baby, such as using a lead apron and using quick films to take the x-ray.
The use of medicines should only be done if it is really necessary. In some cases the use of antibiotics to fight infections may be recommended, with penicillin derivatives such as amoxicillin or ampicillin being the most recommended. In case of pain, the dentist may recommend acetaminophen, avoiding as far as possible the anti-inflammatory products not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester.
In the 1st and 3rd trimester, dental treatment should be avoided, except in an emergency. The second semester is the one that is best suited for treatments, avoiding large restorations or cosmetic treatments, avoiding waiting times and reducing consultation time. In addition, the pregnant woman should be in a position where she feels comfortable.