Pregnancy affects nearly every aspect of a woman’s life, including her oral health. Taking care of your mouth and teeth is important during pregnancy. 

Before Pregnancy
All women are advised to get their teeth and mouth checked before getting pregnant so that their teeth can be cleaned, gums examined and any oral problems treated beforehand. 

During Pregnancy 
Pregnancy tends to affect the composition of saliva, may increase the amount of bacterial activity in the mouth, affecting our overall oral care. So what should one look out for?

·    Gum diseases where gums may get swollen or bleed can be avoided by brushing regularly. 

·    Morning sickness causing enamel erosion due to the acid that is left in the mouth. It also tends to disrupt the brushing habits, thus leaving the acid to work in your mouth for hours at a time. 

·    Cravings causing women to eat excess, especially sweets, causing tooth decay. 

When can I visit my dentist and is it alright to do dental procedures? 

Once pregnant, visit your dentist at least twice. 

Scientifically dental treatment can be done anytime during the pregnancy but most doctors recommend that an appointment is made during the second trimester. 

This is because due to the socio educational  background of Sri Lanka, when dental procedures are done on women who are in their first trimester, if a miscarriage occurs they tend to wrongly attribute the incident to be caused by the dental procedure. To avoid such blame, doctors advocate to avoiding any treatment during the first trimester.  During the last trimester, sitting for long periods of time in the dental chair can become uncomfortable and pregnant women can be more prone to gagging.

Are dental X-rays alright during pregnancy?

The level of radiation caused by a dental x-ray is very minimum. One dental x – ray is equal to eight hours of external exposure in the environment. There is no harm to the foetus as there is distance but doctors recommend avoiding x-rays unless it is absolutely necessary. 

What should I be aware of?

Studies show an association between gum diseases and preterm birth or low weight babies.  To avoid this, increase brushing, avoid periodontal disease and seek dental treatment by the dentist. 

TIPS 
 

MYTHS 
 

* Based on a discussion with Dr. Dileep De Silva, immediate past President of Sri Lanka Dental Assocition and consultant in dental public health. 
 

Text by Panchali Illankoon