Dental problems that pregnant people should watch for include:

• Gum Disease

• Cavities

• Enamel Erosion

Gum Disease

Hormones released during pregnancy can affect your gums in several ways, including gingivitis, overgrowths, and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis.  Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes your gums to become sensitive and swell.  They may bleed when you brush or try to clean between your teeth.  Because of the swelling, it may be difficult to keep your teeth clean when you have gingivitis.  To reduce the risk of gingivitis, it is important to take good care of your teeth every day.

Overgrowths.  Sometimes during pregnancy, the soft tissues in the mouth may develop a  lump or overgrowth.  This usually involves the gum tissue but can occur in other places like the tongue or cheeks.  These overgrowths may be called pregnancy tumors, but they are not cancer.  In most cases, they go away after pregnancy.

Periodontitis.  Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease.  In this type of gum disease, bacteria and bits of food build up below the gumline and start to attack the tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.  With periodontal disease, you may notice bleeding or a feeling that your teeth are loose, or you may have no symptoms at all.  A dental visit allows your dentist to check the health of your teeth and gums.  If you have periodontitis, your dentist can provide a deep cleaning, under the gumline.

Cavities

Pregnant people also are at a higher risk of developing cavities.  This is probably caused by changes in diet.  Cavities are caused by the thin layer of bacteria that builds up on teeth.  This is called plaque and is perfectly normal.  However, when you eat and drink, the bacteria in this plaque produce an acid that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities.  You can reduce the risk with good, daily oral care.

Erosion

Erosion is the loss of the hard outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel, due to acids coming from the stomach or foods that dissolve the enamel.

During pregnancy, those who have reflux or vomit often can be at risk of erosion.  You can reduce your risk of erosion by limiting snacks and drinking water rather than acidic drinks like juices and sodas.  You may be tempted to brush tour teeth immediately after vomiting, but do not do that.  Your enamel may be soft, and brushing could damage it.  Instead rinse your mouth with plain water or a baking soda rinse consisting of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water.

Taking Care of Your Teeth at Home

To care for your teeth at home:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a soft bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.  Gently brush all sides of each tooth making small circles along the gumline.

• Clean between your teeth once per day, using floss, tiny brushes or floss holders.  Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist if you need help choosing a product or learning to use it properly.

During pregnancy, you are at higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities and damaging the enamel of your teeth.  Work closely with your dental team members to improve your oral health and keep your mouth healthy through out pregnancy.

Atherosclerosis is a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in the artery walls.  This build-up, also known as plaque, can eventually cause a blockage leading to a medical emergency such as a heart attack or stroke.

While it is true that there are limited studies investigating the correlation of oral health between a child and adult, it is believed that adults’ oral health is based on childhood hygiene and dietary habits.

To study the link between tooth decay and gingivitis and the occurrence of CVD in adults a Danish study was completed that included 568,778 individuals born between 1963 and 1972.

Data from the National child Odontology Registry (1972-1987) and atherosclerosis outcomes from the National Patient Register (1995-2018) were used for the study.

Severe childhood dental caries were linked to an increase in atherosclerosis in both men and woman.  Additionally, high gingivitis scores forecasted an increased risk of CVD in both men and women.

The study suggests this correlation is worth investigating further, but clearly shows that early detection and prevention in children’s oral health may be a tool for improved health as an adult.

Dr. Bicuspid

A recent study, led by Chien-Chang Liao of Taipei Medical University Hospital in Taiwan, showed that regular dental scaling serves as a preventive strategy to mitigate the risk of atopic dermatitis.

Although atopic dermatitis and gum disease are common chronic inflammatory diseases, their correlation remains poorly understood.  Therefore, to explore the effects of dental scaling on the risk of eczema among patients with periodontitis, a retrospective cohort study using health insurance data from those age 20 and older with periodontitis was conducted.  The data included 38,934 patients with gum disease and 38,934 without gum disease.

The patients were followed to monitor atopic dermatitis incidence and found that those with gum disease had an increased risk of developing eczema compared with those without gum disease.  Furthermore, patients with gum disease who received dental scaling had a 67% reduction in the risk of developing eczema.  Additionally, the risk of eczema was lowest in those with gum disease who underwent dental scaling more than four times.

Researchers acknowledge there are limitations to the data used since it didn’t report lifestyle, health behaviors, dietary factors, and physical activity, making it difficult to investigate their oral hygiene habits, like frequency of toothbrushing.

The study concludes that there is a significant association between periodontitis and increase risk of atopic dermatitis.

Dr. Bicuspid

PLOS

Many know that smoking can affect your overall health, but smoking can also be harmful to your oral health.

Some of the negative effects of smoking and  tobacco use include:

• Bad Breath

• Stained Teeth

• Dulled Sense of Taste and Smell

• Slow Healing After Extraction or Oral Surgery

• Gum Disease

• Oral Cancer

We know that changing habits can be hard, but we believe in you, we know you can do it!

In 2021 we shared Rita’s story.  She has been a patient of ours for 50 years!!!  We are happy to share that it has been 4 years since we posted her story and she is still smoke-FREE!  Below is her original story.  We hope she inspires you as much as she has inspired us!

Meet Rita

I started smoking my first year in college.  That was 55 years ago.  Many of us sat in the student union building to smoke, talk and eat while we were waiting for our next class.  For me, it was a chance to meet friends.  I moved to California with my parents the summer of my senior year in high school and didn’t have a chance to make many new friends that year.

Actually, I liked to smoke and liked my brand of cigarettes, Virginia Slims.  You know the ad, “You’ve come a long way, baby!”  This was the first cigarette brand marketed specifically for women by Phillip Morris in 1968.

One day in July, 2021 I had my dental checkup and cleaning with Dr. Tiffany.  She said to me, “You have to quit these things.  I can clean your teeth, but I can’t fix this!”  (Referring to the damage being done by smoking).  Well, her words kept ringing in my ears.  I had a talk with myself and a couple of weeks later, I told the people who order my cigarettes that I would be quitting.  I thoroughly enjoyed my last Virginia Slim cigarette and then quit cold turkey the next morning.

Here I am, three months later, and I can report that I never had any physical withdrawal.  I was more tired, and a little fidgety.  That’s it.  When the time is right, you can do it!

American Cancer Society