Healthy Gums During Pregnancy: Why is it Important?

However, while women are preparing for childbirth, they pay much attention only to the improvement of their physical condition and the health of the unborn baby; however, the question of oral health and, specifically, of periodontal care is left unaddressed. It has been established that pregnant women should pay much attention when caring for their gum health since it affects both the mother’s health and the baby's.

In this blog, we shall discuss why pregnant women need periodontal care, how hormones affect the gums, and why ignoring oral hygiene is detrimental to the mother and the unborn child. We will also look at measures that can be taken to prevent gum disease and what expecting mothers should do for their oral health.

The Importance of Oral Health during Pregnancy

Why is dental health the most essential during pregnancy? Hormonal fluctuations, and other pregnancy-related variables, might raise the risk of some dental problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay. These issues not only damage your dental health but may also have an impact on your baby's health.

According to research, pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have preterm deliveries or kids with low birth weight. So, taking care of your mouth can help you have a good pregnancy in addition to protecting your teeth.

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy and Gum Health

Progesterone and estrogen levels rise significantly during pregnancy, With pregnancy comes a series of hormonal changes. These hormones are used by the body to help support the pregnancy and growth of the fetus, but they also act on other areas such as the gums. such hormones can make tissues of the gum more sensitive, they cause inflammation and swelling due to increased blood flow.

Thus, a great number of pregnant women develop what is called pregnancy gingivitis, a form of relatively mild gum disease announcing itself through tender, red, and bleeding gums. Pregnancy gingivitis initiates in the second or third gestational month and generally progresses throughout pregnancy. If not controlled, it worsens to other types of periodontal diseases, and they are known to cause pregnancy complications.

Besides hormonal, immunological adaptations occur during pregnancy too. During pregnancy the body tries to dampen the immune system so that it can not reject a developing fetus, this makes the gums very susceptible to bacterial infections and inflammation.

Link Between Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Complications

In the last few decades, numerous studies have focused their interest on understanding the association between periodontal disease and some pregnancy complications. While research is ongoing, there is significant evidence to suggest that untreated periodontal disease may contribute to several pregnancy complications, including:

Preterm Birth:

Among the many complications linked with periodontal disease in pregnancy, preterm birth, whereby a woman delivers before the 37th week of pregnancy, is one of the most worrisome. Birth before term greatly contributes to infant mortality instances and can lead to several health complications in the newborn, such as respiratory problems and susceptibility to other diseases, low birth weight, and developmental problems.

Low Birth Weight:

Besides, periodontal disease has been positively associated with low birth weight, which is if the baby was born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Such babies may suffer from a range of conditions such as hypothermia, poor feeding, and a high possibility of being infected.

Preeclampsia:

Preeclampsia is one type of pregnancy complication – hypertension accompanied by signs of involvement of another organ system, most commonly the liver or the kidneys. It is often diagnosed at 20 weeks of pregnancy, and these complications can cause severe health risks to both the mother and the child if not well controlled.

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs in women during pregnancy that alters the mother and fetus’s use of glucose. Increasing evidence suggests that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus, which may be closely related to the inflammation resulting from gum infections.

How to Maintain Periodontal Health during Pregnancy

From the finding of the risk factors often associated with periodontal diseases during pregnancy, it can also be seen that proper dental care is vital during pregnancy. Fortunately, several steps expecting mothers can take to protect their gum health and reduce the risk of complications:

Regular Dental Checkups:

Indeed, one of the best things that should be done during pregnancy is to keep dental appointments for checkups and cleaning. This means that your dentist or a periodontist can check your gums, remove the buildup of plaque and tartar, and treat symptoms of early gum diseases.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene:

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least two times each day and floss once every day to avoid the introduction of plaque and inflammation in gums. Use a fluoride toothpaste to brush at least twice daily, being careful not to rub hard against the gum. For safety purposes, to avoid inflicting a cut on your gum cause, use a soft bristle toothbrush.

Eat a Balanced Diet:

An ideal diet is important for the health of any woman particularly for pregnant woman and their oral health as well. Protein-based foods and others containing vitamins and minerals need for proper dental health including calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C.

Stay Hydrated:

Staying well hydrated means that more saliva fills the mouth leaving less room for bacteria to thrive and form plaque. Water assists in the removal of food debris and bacteria that in one way or another affect the gums and cause diseases or infections. Furthermore, it requires the promotion of the flow of saliva, which helps to occupy a significant protection level of teeth and gums.

Use an Antimicrobial Mouthwash:

Rinsing your mouth with any green list or alcohol-free mouthwash will further decrease the bacteria count in your mouth, which causes plaque and gum diseases. Ask your dentist to suggest a safe mouthwash that can be used during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Dental care during pregnancy is essential, not only for the mother's gum health but also for reducing the risk of bad outcomes in the infant. Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to acquire gum disorders, which have been linked to premature birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, among other issues. Pregnant women should brush and floss every day, visit the dentist regularly and treat gum disease symptoms to keep themselves and their unborn babies healthy.