574 JADA 142(5) http://jada.ada.org May 2011

F O R T H E D E N T A L P A T I E N T . . .

Oral health duringpregnancyWhat to expect whenexpecting

You have so much to think about duringpregnancy, but don’t overlook your oralhealth, which can be affected by the hor-monal changes you will experience

during this time.For example, women are more likely to

develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitisis an infection of the gingivae (gums) that cancause swelling and tenderness. Your gums alsomay bleed a little when you brush or floss. Leftuntreated, gingivitis can affect the supportingtissues that hold your teeth in place. Your den-tist may recommend more frequent cleanings toprevent gingivitis.

Sometimes lumps appear along the gum lineand between teeth. These swellings are harm-less, but they bleed easily and are characterizedby a red, raw-looking mulberrylike surface.Although these growths are called “pregnancytumors,” they are not cancerous. They usuallygo away on their own after pregnancy, but theycan be removed under a local anesthetic if theybother you.

DENTAL CAREYou should continue to see your dentist duringpregnancy for oral examinations and profes-sional teeth cleaning. Tell your dentist that youare pregnant and about any changes you havenoticed in your oral health.

Also, be sure to let your dentist know aboutany medications or supplements you are taking.Your dentist may need to use or prescribe med-ication as part of your treatment. Some medica-tions are considered safe for limited use duringpregnancy and some should not be used at all.For example, if you develop an infection, yourdentist might prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin.However, pregnant women should not betreated with tetracycline because it can stainthe fetus’ developing teeth. Once they erupt, theteeth may look gray or brown permanently as aresult of these stains. Your dentist or physiciancan talk with you about medications that aresafe to use during pregnancy.

Although radiography (x-rays) often can be

delayed until after your baby is born, your den-tist may need to obtain a radiograph as part ofyour dental treatment. To minimize your expo-sure and that of the fetus to x-rays, your dentistwill cover your abdomen with a protective apronand place a thyroid collar over your throat.

Talk with your dentist or physician about anyconcerns you may have about your treatment.

Good daily care is key to your oral health. Tohelp prevent caries (tooth decay) and gum disease,brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with fluo-ride toothpaste to remove plaque. Be sure to cleanbetween your teeth dailywith floss or another inter-dental cleaner. Ask yourdentist or hygienist toshow you how to brush andfloss correctly. Whenchoosing oral care prod-ucts, look for those thatdisplay the AmericanDental Association’s Seal ofAcceptance, your assurance that they have metADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

DIETFrequent snacking may increase your risk ofdeveloping tooth decay, which is caused byplaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms con-stantly on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar andstarch that remain in the mouth after eating toacid that attacks tooth enamel. The longer thesugars remain in your mouth, the longer theacids attack. After repeated attacks, tooth decaycan result.

ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTHYour oral health is an important part of youroverall health, and untreated dental disease canbe harmful to you and your baby. Be sure toinclude your oral health in your daily self-careroutine and keep your dentist informed of anychanges in your oral health during pregnancy. ■

Prepared by the American Dental Association (ADA) Division ofScience. Copyright © 2011 American Dental Association. Unlikeother portions of JADA, the print version of this page may be clippedand photocopied as a handout for patients without reprint permis-sion from the ADA Publishing Division. Any other use, copying ordistribution of this material, whether in printed or electronic formand including the copying and posting of this material on a Web site,is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of the ADA Pub-lishing Division.

“For the Dental Patient” provides general information on dentaltreatments to dental patients. It is designed to prompt discussionbetween dentist and patient about treatment options and does notsubstitute for the dentist’s professional assessment based on theindividual patient’s needs and desires.

Copyright © 2011 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.