Lahore, October 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):According to her, good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease and can contribute to overall health improvement of pregnant women.
Here is her full submission! Pregnancy may make women more prone to periodontal (gum) disease and cavities. Oral health may be considered an important part of prenatal care, given that poor oral health during pregnancy can lead to poor health outcomes for the mother and baby, because of normal physiologic changes, pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in terms of oral health. During pregnancy, a woman’s oral health can affect her health and the health of her unborn child.
Maintenance of oral health is an integral part of a healthy pregnancy as in this physiological phase female body goes through many hormonal changes which may affect oral health. One of these changes is increased carbohydrate consumption, especially in the third trimester that can increase the chances of plaque formation and dental decay.
Increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase the permeability of oral vessels and reduce immunocompetence during pregnancy, increasing the chances of severe oral inflammation.
These changes can lead to increased caries risk and gingival enlargement which can cause pulpal and periodontal harm. Nearly 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease that occurs when the gums become red and swollen from inflammation that may be aggravated by changing hormones during pregnancy. If gingivitis is not treated, the bone that supports the teeth can be lost, and the gums can become infected.
Teeth with little bone support can become loose and may eventually have to be extracted. Periodontitis has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Dental infections in pregnancy may have dire consequences. Dental practitioners may be reluctant to treat or facial infections invasively in pregnancy due to false assumptions of the potential risk to the patient.
Many health professionals are aware of the importance of oral health, but often they do not address it as part of their provision of preconception, prenatal or well-woman care. Dental care during pregnancy is safe, and there are appropriate guidelines for the treatment of pregnant patients.
Dental visits can take place during any trimester and if urgent should never be delayed. All elective dental procedures should be avoided during pregnancy but if acute dental pain management like nonsurgical endodontic is indicated, should not be deferred.
The knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals towards promoting oral health in pregnant women play an important role in its achievement. Although a number of non-invasive preventive interventions, traditional health education is considered the gold standard for imparting knowledge and encouraging pregnant women on preventive intervention, the collaboration between the obstetric and dental teams might be an effective way of providing oral health care to pregnant women. Adequate intake of energy and nutrients constitutes positive health effects, and inadequate intake affects mother and baby health negatively.
During this period, it is necessary for the mother to take 1200-1500 mg daily calcium for herself and her babies’ bones to be healthy. During pregnancy, mothers should meet their calcium requirements by taking calcium-rich foods such as milk and dairy products and green, leafy vegetables. With a good diet and adequate oral health care, there will be no tooth problems during pregnancy.
Gynaecologists and physicians can address maternal oral health issues, probably reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes through available preventive measures, early diagnosis, and appropriate management by referring to a dentist.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk