Dental Care in Pregnancy

The changes that occur during pregnancy make the mother more susceptible to gingivitis and tooth decay. Dental hygiene and good nutritional habits banish the old myth that every pregnancy does a tooth.
Oral abnormalities of pregnancy
During pregnancy, major changes in women at all levels: physical appearance, in the chemical and psychological.
This causes the mouth of the pregnant woman more susceptible to gingivitis and tooth decay.
1. Gingivitis
During pregnancy there is an increase of the hormones estrogen and probating that condition changes in the structures throughout the body, among them, especially in the tissues of the mouth.
These tissues increase blood flow and inflammatory suffer a greater capacity to local external irritants.
Thus increases the likelihood of certain disorders such as gingivitis.
The plaque would act more aggressively in gums whose state is influenced by hormones, poor diet, changing eating habits or patterns of dental hygiene.
1. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that appear red, edematous, sensitive and prone to spontaneous bleeding or small stimuli such as chewing or brushing teeth.
During pregnancy, this condition is so common and specific, that is called pregnancy gingivitis.
This is most evident from the third month of pregnancy.
If the woman was suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease previously, it gets worse during pregnancy.
May not previously exist and is triggered during this phase.
If gingivitis is not treated, can progress to periodontal disease tissue injury of bone bonding to the tooth, part of bone loss and risk of tooth loss.
In a small percentage shows a localized increase in gum called granuloma, epulis or pregnancy tumor.
2. Caries
The decay is also more common during pregnancy.
Several authors have studied a change in the bacterial flora of the mouth during this stage, which together with a greater appetite for the pregnant carbohydrate sweets in general and particularly increases the risk of cavities.
So during this time special care should be followed to maintain oral health, which includes not only careful oral hygiene, but adequate nutrition.
Food.
It is essential to a balanced diet not only to prevent oral alterations but to the overall health of the mother and the health and development of your baby.
The formation of baby teeth starts between the third and sixth month of pregnancy.
It is important to an adequate intake of vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin D and minerals like calcium and phosphorus whose input essential for the formation of bones and teeth of the unborn baby.
It is also necessary an adequate supply of lipids, among which are the essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids are precursors of the omega 3 and omega 6, and are essential, inter alia, for the proper development of the nervous system.
Quality proteins that provide the meat, fish, eggs and milk are essential building material of all organs of the baby.
It is also important to an adequate supply of carbohydrates but we have to distinguish between complex carbohydrates and simple.
Are preferable called complex carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc..
These are the main source of slow release energy and are necessary for a proper nutritional balance and infant development.
The simple carbohydrates are refined or more cryogenic than complex and belong to this group sugar and sweet foods like candy, cakes, pastries, etc.., Which have great potential for caries production by what to avoid.
During pregnancy increases the appetite for these products so if the mother takes them between meals is advisable to brush your teeth afterwards.
Oral Hygiene
It is necessary at this stage of pregnancy extreme dental care.
Oral abnormalities of pregnancy, although frequent, are not inevitable and can be prevented by proper dental hygiene with a brush after meals and flossing your teeth.
Careful cleaning will remove plaque that is the cause of dental caries and gingivitis.
It is preferable to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which is antibacterial and strengthens tooth enamel.
Visits to the dentist.
The ideal is to start pregnancy with a healthy mouth, no cavities or other problems such as gingivitis, tartar, boils, etc. Because these diseases not only affect the health of the mother but also to the child.
It is advisable to make regular visits to the dentist, who may carry out appropriate treatments and detect and prevent any alteration to that oral health is optimal.
If you have not gone before dental visits can be made without problem during pregnancy. Some dental procedures can be performed because there are certain drugs and anesthetics that can be worn during embarrass.
But treatments than most urgent to be postponed to after the first trimester.
In the latter half of the third quarter is also advisable to avoid dental procedures.
If you do not have the habit of going to the dentist every six months this is a good time to start doing it.