Some women get swollen and sore gums, which may bleed, during pregnancy. Bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding.
However, it's important that you tell your dentist you are pregnant before X-rays are done so the staff can provide a special garment or device to shield your pelvis and abdomen from exposure.
Yes! Dental X-rays are safe to have during pregnancy, but there are some other factors you may want to consider as you are planning your dental care during this time.
It is natural to be worried about getting dental fillings during pregnancy. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association agree that cavities can be treated safely at any time during pregnancy.
Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth. It is best to avoid this dental work while pregnant and avoid exposing the developing baby to any risks, even if they are minimal.
During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists can detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), mouth sores and gum disease. If you're feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders.
A score of 1 means that you have some plaque or bleeding from the edges of your gums. 2 means there is some hardened dead plaque attached to your teeth, which some gentle cleaning and a little oral health education can help with. It's the 3 scores that present the difficulty.
Pregnancy Changes
The most common causes of sensitive teeth during pregnancy include: Hormones. According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), pregnancy hormones can actually affect the way your body responds to bacteria, which can lead to periodontal infection and – you guessed it – sore teeth and gums.
The toothpaste pregnancy test involves putting a few drops of urine on some white toothpaste. After stirring the mixture, the person watches for any foaming or color change, which supposedly indicates a positive result. However, this is not an accurate way to detect pregnancy.
High levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy can temporarily loosen the tissues and bones that keep your teeth in place. This can make your teeth loose. Periodontal disease (also called periodontitis or gum disease). If gingivitis is untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease.
If you drink alcohol often, it can linger on your breath, and the smell can escape through the pores of your skin. So if there are no visible signs yet, a dentist may be able to smell the alcohol on your breath or in your skin.
The incidence of tooth staining is also lower in those who vape compared to those who smoke cigarettes due to the absence of tar and ash in e-liquids - though it is worth mentioning that nicotine, when exposed to oxygen, turns a light shade of yellow, indicating there is still potential for staining with long-term use ...
Similarly to flossing, your dental team will also be able to tell if you don't brush your teeth often enough or even if you brush too hard. Those who don't brush the recommended two times a day will often have larger areas of tartar buildup and puffy, red gums.
Telling the Truth Provides Your Dentist With Important Information. The most important reason to tell your dentist the truth is that it will help them make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It lets your dentist know your starting point so they can adjust their suggestions.
Use their teeth as a tool
"Teeth are also not meant to chew on pens, the ends of eyeglasses, or straws, or to act as a third hand while carrying things," he adds. You may not realize how much pressure you're exerting, and it can cause teeth to shift out of place or the enamel to splinter.
Tips to Overcome Your Embarrassment of Going to the Dentist
Communicate your concerns. Explain to your dentist why you're embarrassed before your visit. Sharing your concerns with the dentist and dental staff will help them adapt their treatment to your needs and put you at ease while you're in the chair.
Tell your dentist (and doctor) if you are pregnant. Routine dental care can be done any time during pregnancy. Any urgent procedure can be done, as well. All elective dental procedures, however, should be postponed until after the delivery.
Local Anesthetics Are Safe During Pregnancy
The study also concluded that undergoing a dental procedure with local anesthesia did not cause any abnormalities or increased risk of miscarriage or early delivery.
First Trimester (Weeks 1 – 12)
We do not recommend cleaning or periodontal treatment at this time, except in cases of a dental emergency, such as severe pain, bleeding oral/facial swelling or fractured teeth.
Pregnancy gingivitis usually develops between the 2nd and 8th month of pregnancy, and its effects are the most pronounced during the third trimester.
INTRODUCTION
The measurement beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) in plasma and urine are currently used in the detection of pregnancy. β-hCG levels in saliva are usually detectable at about 3–4 weeks of pregnancy and continue to increase throughout the pregnancy.
Ptyalism is common during the first trimester of pregnancy. You might need to spit out some saliva into a tissue quite often, and the bitter taste of the saliva can cause nausea and vomiting. The good news for most women is that it should ease after the first trimester.