Worried about the potentially harmful effects to their unborn baby, many women who are expecting are avoiding the dentist. In the long run, this can cause many problems and be dangerous for the mother’s and baby’s health alike.
Dental work during pregnancy is perfectly safe. A good dentist in Soho, such as PS Dental Care, will not compromise a pregnant patient’s oral health in any way. If anything, visiting the dentist while pregnant protects against pregnancy gum disease and other conditions that can lead to premature birth or low birth weight issues.
Is a Good Oral Hygiene Regime Enough?
Twice daily brushing and flossing protect the teeth from plaque and bacteria, but they are not enough on their own. Pregnant women should visit the dentist in Soho regularly in order to have their teeth properly cleaned and prevent cavity formation. This step is really important even for women that brush and floss their teeth diligently every day. Often, bacteria hide in hard-to-reach areas in-between the teeth and only the dentist can remove them completely.
Pregnancy-related Gum Disease
Many studies have shown that pregnancy makes women more susceptible to gum disease. As a matter of fact, 4 out of 10 pregnant women are likely to develop gum disease during their pregnancy due to hormones. During pregnancy, gum disease can be intensified by these hormones and a reduced immune response. As a result, pregnant women develop symptoms such as bleeding, sensitive and puffy gums.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, early-stage pregnancy gum disease can turn into periodontitis, a serious type of gum disease. Periodontitis affects the sockets around the teeth and can lead to the deterioration of gum tissue and tooth loss. Periodontitis is also linked with premature birth, low birth weight and other pregnancy complications.
Prevention in Pregnancy is Really Important
Seeing a dentist in Soho during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman, since their mouth changes as much as their body. In addition to hormonal changes that can lead to gum disease and other problems, morning sickness could also cause harm to the teeth, eroding the tooth enamel and speeding up tooth decay.