Dental health during pregnancy is extremely important, yet a new survey suggests that more women are choosing not to see a dentist during pregnancy.
A Delta Dental survey finds that 42.5% of pregnant women in the U.S. are not receiving thorough dental checkups or cleanings during pregnancy. Oral health conditions can arise – particularly during pregnancy – including:
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Plaque build-up
Progesterone hormone levels are on the rise during pregnancy, which can cause gums to have a lot more plaque buildup than normal. This buildup can make a pregnant woman’s gums puffy and red, and may even cause bleeding during brushing and flossing. If left untreated, plaque buildup and gum inflammation can cause a dental infection, which is particularly scary during pregnancy—some studies link a mom’s poor dental care to premature births and problems with baby’s development.
It’s extremely crucial to take extra care of teeth during pregnancy and go for routine dental visits. Any cavities and root canals can and should also be treated to reduce the risk of infection. It’s better to take care of these procedures during your second trimester, since you may have a harder time staying comfortable during such procedures at the latter stages of your pregnancy.
As for veneers and other cosmetic procedures? Those should wait until after delivery. And although there haven’t been any risks identified with professional teeth whitening while pregnant, I prefer that patients have it done after baby’s born.
Is it time for dental exam? Contact THE SCIENCE OF SMILES for a thorough dental exam: (626) 795-0221