Smile, you’re pregnant - the link between good oral health and a healthy pregnancy By Louis Maro, DDS Dental Design of Arcadia
When a woman is pregnant she has to be extra careful about the products she uses, what she eats and drinks, and now, according to a recently discovered link between oral health and preterm labor, the condition of her gums.
Pregnant women are at a greater risk for gingivitis (inflamed gums) and periodontitis (gum disease) due to an increase in hormones, such as progesterone. This can lead to pregnancy gingivitis, which often occurs between the second and eighth month of gestation. Some estimates show between 50 to 70 percent of women will develop this condition.
When bacterial plaque is present in the mouth, toxins from the bacteria create inflammation of the gum tissue. During inflammation there is an increase in blood flow, the tissue thins out, and there is swelling causing the tissue to bleed. These conditions are enhanced during pregnancy. Bleeding is the earliest sign of gingivitis, however little there may be. It is at this time when bacteria and its toxins will get into the body’s blood circulation. The bacteria and toxins can make their way to the developing fetus, and there can be an increase in the biological fluids that induce preterm labor.
There are at least two published studies that suggest a strong link between gum disease and the chance a woman will deliver preterm, between 32 and 37 weeks. One study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association indicates that women with chronic gum disease are four to seven times more likely to deliver premature babies (prior to week 37) than mothers-to-be with good oral health.
Prevention Tips Good oral health, based on the tenants of daily flossing and brushing three times a day are critical during pregnancy. It is suggested that pregnant women visit the dentist more frequently than twice a year in order to prevent these health problems. There is nothing to fear; dental care providers know how to treat women who are pregnant without endangering the unborn child.
Some general risk factors for gingivitis and periodontitis are: smoking, stress, poor oral hygiene, lack of dental visits, poor diet, as well as multiple dental restorations and orthodontics. Also, at a greater risk are immune-suppressed women, such as those with HIV and other autoimmune diseases. Patients who have had chemotherapy or organ transplants are also at risk and genetics can play as a factor.
Treatment Options It’s more important than ever during pregnancy to visit the dentist. And, the use of periodontal laser therapy is vital during the early stages of gingivitis. Laser energy completely sterilizes the gum pockets where bacteria hide and start to cause bleeding, and it is completely safe for the fetus. The penetration of laser energy also increases the body’s own healing ability. In our practice, we find that gums get healthier faster and stay healthier longer.
After birth, there are still dangers that need to be addressed, including a condition known as being ‘tongue-tied.’ Signs that infants are tongue-tied include, but not limited to having difficulty breastfeeding. The feeding may be very painful and the baby may not be getting correct nourishment.
If this is not corrected, not only will feeding be a problem, but also a host of speech difficulties and misalignment of teeth can occur later in life. Often obstetricians recommend surgery under general anesthesia to relieve the muscle that is attaching the babies tongue to the floor of the mouth. However, an extremely simple technique is available with the use of dental lasers to permanently fix this problem. The mother can hold the baby during the procedure, and with the application of a topical anesthetic the laser will relieve the tongue-tied condition in virtually seconds, with no complications.
About the Author Dr. Maro runs Dental Design of Arcadia, 3409 N. 56th Street in Phoenix. He has spent the last 25 years staying at the top of his profession both in New York and in Phoenix. Dr. Maro has extensive training that reaches beyond a basic dental degree. He has completed exclusive programs that focus on “adult complex cases,” along with attending an elite implant school.
