Expectant mothers may have heard the saying, “A baby takes one tooth,” implying that carrying a child takes a toll on the mother’s teeth. This saying is based on the belief that the fetus draws calcium from the mother’s body, leading to tooth decay and loss during pregnancy.
While this belief is incorrect, various dental problems often arise during pregnancy, mainly because expectant mothers are confronted with pre-existing issues during the mandatory first-trimester dental screening.
One reason for deterioration in dental health may be that due to occasional nausea, mothers-to-be may superficially brush their teeth, giving rise to increased chances of gum inflammation and tooth decay. (Using mouthwash during pregnancy is also not recommended.)
Gum bleeding is more common during pregnancy, likely due to the thinning of mucous membranes. When experiencing bleeding while brushing, it’s advisable to either avoid brushing altogether or do so more gently to avoid aggravating the sensitive gum tissue. However, this approach also favors plaque formation and, consequently, gum inflammation. Inflammatory conditions also typically involve bleeding, which can be easily mistaken for the normal bleeding that occurs during pregnancy. However, untreated pathological processes can lead to more severe periodontal problems.
Therefore, beyond the mandatory first-trimester dental screening, it is highly recommended to have dental check-ups every three months during pregnancy, diligently brush teeth at least twice a day, and use dental floss or interdental brushes as usual. To eliminate plaque formation, it is also advisable to schedule professional teeth cleaning during pregnancy.
In our clinic, alongside ultrasonic tartar removal methods, we also use the AirFlow air polishing system (as a supplementary or standalone treatment). Developed in Switzerland, this treatment involves blasting specially designed particles onto the tooth surface with compressed air, capable of completely removing discolorations and bacteria adhering to the tooth,further enhancing professional cleaning. For expectant mothers, we pay particular attention to using even more gentle, fully biodegradable particles. With this procedure, tartar formation above and below the gumline can be eliminated, and hard-to-reach areas, fissures, and recesses can be effectively cleaned.
Schedule an appointment with us and take advantage of our expectant mother package – more details can be found here. Book your examination by calling us at +36 1 200 1378 or emailing us at info@cosmodent.hu. Don’t forget to mention to our colleagues that you would like to avail of the expectant mother package!
