What are dental problems in pregnant women? Is it true that women lose a tooth for every child?

Dental Problems During Pregnancy, Dental issues are numerous and varied, often resulting from the improper habits of many individuals whose teeth are damaged and decayed due to bacterial infections and the spread of infection. This is in addition to neglecting regular teeth cleaning and consuming foods and drinks that cause pigmentation stains on their surface and change their color.

During pregnancy, women face many dental problems due to various hormonal changes that occur in their bodies, causing physiological changes. This article will explore these problems, some misconceptions about the relationship between dental diseases and pregnancy, the causes of these problems, how to treat them, control pain throughout pregnancy, and the best medical centers for follow-up.

Dental Problems During Pregnancy

Psychological and hormonal changes occur in a woman during pregnancy. These changes are natural and do not cause her any harm, but they can lead to some pathological changes and a feeling of health instability. This is due to a woman’s failure to adhere to certain instructions necessary during pregnancy and not taking proper care of her health and that of her fetus.

Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods due to the mother’s responsibility for the health and safety of her fetus, not just her own health. Therefore, she must be careful not to develop anemia, adhere to a good diet to compensate for the blood loss due to changes in her body, and pay attention in case of blood pressure fluctuations. It is also essential not to overlook the changes that occur in the teeth during this stage, requiring special attention to dental and oral health to prevent inflammation and gum sensitivity. You can learn about dental filling methods for pregnant women and their effects when reading this article.

Common Misconceptions About Pregnancy and Teeth

There are many misconceptions about pregnancy and teeth, including the myth that a mother loses a tooth with each pregnancy or that she loses the calcium in her teeth, causing weakness and decay. Some also believe that bleeding and swelling of the gums are natural occurrences during pregnancy, but this is not true as these health issues generally result from dental or oral problems and are not naturally associated with pregnancy.

When Does Toothache Start in Pregnancy

One of the symptoms or changes that may occur in a pregnant woman is experiencing toothache. This pain can be controlled or endured, but sometimes its intensity increases, stemming from some problems in the mouth or teeth. During the first months of pregnancy, toothache results from the hormonal changes occurring in the woman, especially during the first and third months, leading to physiological changes and disturbances in the body, including dental problems and pains.

In the later months of pregnancy, toothache stems from the fetus’s intensive need for calcium, leading to a significant withdrawal from the mother’s body to provide for the fetus. Therefore, the mother must follow up with the treating doctor during this period to ensure a safe and suitable dietary supplement to prevent any complications or negative effects on her health and the health of her fetus.

Is It True That a Woman Loses a Tooth for Every Child?

No, this statement is incorrect. This belief was based on several scientific theories claiming that the calcium needed by the fetus could be absorbed from the mother’s teeth, weakening them. It has been proven that brushing teeth, using dental floss, and miswak are essential tips to follow to preserve teeth from decay during pregnancy.

Causes of Dental Problems During Pregnancy

A pregnant woman may face some dental problems

during pregnancy due to several reasons, which can be mentioned in the following points:

• Sudden hormonal changes during the first three months of pregnancy can cause gum inflammation in the mother because they make the gum tissues sensitive to any bacteria or infection in the mouth.
• Not adhering to a healthy diet and not getting the vitamins and minerals found in fruits, vegetables, and many healthy foods can cause weakness in the teeth, making them prone to decay and damage.
• Certain incorrect eating behaviors, especially consuming more snacks, can lead to an acidic environment in the mouth due to vomiting and the resulting dry mouth, making the mouth more susceptible to decay.
• Not cleaning teeth after nausea or vomiting can cause bacteria accumulation in the mouth, spreading infection and leading to decay.
• Excessive growth of gum tissue due to hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can cause numerous complications in the mouth and is called pregnancy tumor or pyogenic granuloma.
• Continuous vomiting during the first three months of pregnancy due to morning sickness causes stomach acids to reflux into the mouth, depositing on the teeth’s surface, causing their erosion and damage later on.
• Some women suffer from tooth sensitivity, and pregnancy-induced hormonal changes can exacerbate dental problems.
• Pregnancy can weaken a woman’s immunity, facilitating the growth and proliferation of bacteria in the mouth.
• Neglecting dental care before pregnancy can affect the woman and cause her numerous problems after pregnancy.
• Calcium deficiency in a woman’s body during pregnancy can cause various dental problems, and you can learn about types of dental problems and the best center for dental treatment and cosmetic when reading this article.

Does Dental Inflammation Affect the Fetus?

Dental inflammation results from many problems affecting the teeth, indicated by pain. Usually, pain is a sign of problems like bacterial growth leading to infection spread, which can cause complications and risks for the mother and fetus. This situation requires visiting the treating doctor to identify the root cause of the infection, resolve it, and provide the mother with appropriate treatment that does not affect her fetus.

Numerous studies and scientific research have proven that any problems occurring in the mouth and reaching the teeth pose a risk to the fetus’s health, requiring immediate treatment and urgent intervention from the specialist doctor to control it and prevent any effect on the fetus’s health. Gum inflammation, dental decay, and other issues can lead to premature birth, affect the fetus’s weight at birth, and cause health problems later on.

Dental decay, an infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another, can also be transmitted to the child during pregnancy because the decay-causing bacteria, known as Streptococcus mutans, can penetrate the mother’s bloodstream, reach the placenta, and then the fetus, causing inflammation and stress for the fetus and other serious complications. Moreover, it poses a risk to newborns as well; when a mother kisses her child and her mouth is infected with these bacteria, it can transfer to the child’s mouth, causing tissue damage and decay in their milk teeth as they grow.

This infectious bacteria can also be transmitted to children if the mother uses a pacifier and puts it in her mouth. Therefore, it is necessary to clean objects that the child puts in their mouth before giving them to prevent any infection due to accumulated dirt and fungi. From all that has been mentioned, it is clear that a pregnant woman needs regular follow-ups with the specialist doctor at least twice or three times during pregnancy to prevent any existing oral health problems from escalating into severe infections that can transfer to the child’s mouth, causing numerous serious problems and diseases. You can learn about dental and gum problems in detail and the best center that can provide treatment for them when reading this article.

Dental Treatment for Pregnant Women

One of the common misconceptions is that treating a mother’s teeth during pregnancy can harm her fetus, which is incorrect. The delay stems from the women themselves and their reluctance to follow up with a dentist. The hormonal changes occurring in the body make the teeth and gums more susceptible to bacteria, causing infection, and not treating this infection can negatively affect the fetus’s health.

It is necessary to change the mistaken belief that discourages women from adhering to dental clinic appointments during pregnancy because general health includes dental health, and any dental issues can cause health problems for the fetus and threaten its safety. Therefore, it is crucial for her to undergo the necessary medical examinations to ensure her teeth’s health or treat any

issues that arise during pregnancy.

Among the essential measures to consider at the beginning of pregnancy is teeth cleaning and removing any tartar deposits to prevent gum inflammation, in addition to caring for damaged teeth in the mouth or correcting worn fillings to prevent complications for the mother and child later on. Many dentists confirm that anesthesia does not cause any problems for the mother and fetus.

Pregnancy is a natural period that many women go through without any serious problems, but it requires some exceptional measures and special care. The doctor can guide or provide the necessary medical advice to maintain her dental health during this period. Therefore, it is essential for her to have regular follow-ups with him and inform him of any changes during pregnancy so he can consider them when deciding on her treatment method and the medications he prescribes. Our experienced medical team at The Dental Center ensures you benefit from the optimal treatment for dental problems during pregnancy.

Pain Relief Medication for Dental Pain in Pregnant Women

Paracetamol is one of the safest non-steroidal pain relievers that may be given to a pregnant woman, along with ibuprofen and diclofenac. The safest periods for taking painkillers are the middle and last months of pregnancy, meaning the second and third trimesters. Although this painkiller is the safest for a woman’s health during pregnancy, it is essential to take it only when necessary and in the doses determined by the treating dentist. It is also necessary to limit its use somewhat to avoid any complications for the woman and the fetus. Our experience in treating dental problems for pregnant women provides the correct and gentle healthcare for you and your expected child at The Dental Center.

What Are Some Ways to Protect Your Teeth When You Are Pregnant?

There are some precautions that can be considered to protect the teeth during pregnancy, which can be presented as follows:

• Adhering to a diet rich in vitamins, especially A, C, and D, and minerals such as calcium necessary to maintain the body’s balance during this period.
• It is essential to consume plenty of proteins during this period to maintain the body’s muscle mass and withstand the pressure from the fetus’s growth later on or strengthen the immune system and not easily contract any disease.
• Regular brushing of teeth daily with suitable toothpaste.
• Using dental floss to remove any food remnants stuck between the teeth to prevent bacterial and infection later on.
• Rinsing with medical mouthwash to eliminate any spreading infection in the mouth and prevent gum and dental inflammation.
• Avoiding any mouthwash containing alcohol to not affect the fetus.

These tips aim to maintain healthy teeth free from any infection or growth issues and common appearance problems to avoid harming the fetus. If not followed, the consequences can be severe and cost the mother her fetus’s life. Rely on a specialized team that adopts the latest guidelines and techniques for treating dental problems during pregnancy at our Dental Center.

Is Exposure to X-rays Safe During Pregnancy?

Recent technological advancements in various scientific fields have led to significant progress in the way therapeutic techniques and devices used during them. Therefore, X-rays are safer, but it is still advised to wear a protective apron to protect the mother and fetus from radiation. Usually, the use of X-rays during pregnancy is rare and beneficial in advanced cases.

However, if multiple problems occur in the mouth requiring frequent exposure to X-rays, it might affect the fetus and cause some issues, such as developmental anomalies evident in the growth of the eye and head, congenital deformities at birth, including reproductive organs and bones, some functional body disorders, including brain functions, and in some cases, it could be a primary cause of various tumors in the child. These exacerbations or their severity can be avoided or reduced by avoiding exposure to these rays during the 10th to the 17th weeks of pregnancy.

Best Center for Dental Treatment and Cosmetic

The Dental Center is one of the most widespread medical centers with a good reputation among residents of Nasr City and Heliopolis in Cairo. The center always strives to accommodate the heavy influx of patients by offering good discounts on various therapeutic and cosmetic services. The center pays special attention to pregnant women and specialized services for them to provide all means of comfort and safety for her and her fetus. The center offers promotions on any therapeutic technique for pregnant women this month, and you can contact the customer service team during your visit to the official website of the center through this link to inquire about current offers and book.

The center offers modern therapeutic techniques using the latest laser devices used in the field of dentistry recently, following sterilization and infection control methods provided by the World Health Organization. The center includes some of the most skilled doctors and nurses in the Arab world to supervise the services provided to patients. The administration ensures to provide all means of comfort for pregnant women while waiting for their appointment, and the waiting time before the examination usually does not exceed 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour at most.