The Importance of Maintaining Dental Health during Pregnancy

Oral and dental health of pregnant women should receive serious attention, even before marriage. This is considering that the impact can affect pregnancy. One form of concern about the dental health of pregnant women is to disseminate information on the correct way to care for teeth, since before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Maintaining the health of the fetus and baby is often the focus and priority of pregnant women (pregnant mothers). In fact, maintaining the health of pregnant women's teeth is no less important to pay attention to.

This is because hormonal changes during pregnancy are very susceptible to the emergence of various dental and oral problems. If left unchecked, of course it can endanger their own health and that of the baby. Because, tooth decay or other oral problems experienced by pregnant women can cause various conditions such as premature birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Maintaining proper and regular oral health can be considered as an important part of prenatal care so that dental health can be maintained properly.

Why is dental and oral health important for pregnant women?

1. During pregnancy, mothers need nutritious food intake.
If pregnant women experience problems with the mouth and teeth, then the need for fulfilling these foods will be disrupted, especially if pregnant women experience caries or porous and hollow teeth. The mother cannot chew food properly so that the fetus is malnourished, and the baby has growth disorders in the womb.

2. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes, both progesterone and estrogen.
The impact of hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect oral and dental health. For example, pregnant women in the first trimester often vomit and salivate excessively, and they feel like spitting constantly. If you are not diligent in gargling and brushing your teeth, germs and bacteria will easily grow, and bad breath (halitosis) and fungus or thrush will appear in the oral cavity.

3. Increased risk of swelling of the gums or bleeding in the gums.
This occurs due to softening of the gum area tissue due to increased hormones. Sometimes there are red, swollen lumps on the gums, and the gums bleed easily.

4. Pregnant Women are at Risk for Premature Birth
Do not underestimate oral and dental problems during pregnancy, if a severe infection occurs, germs will enter the body, which can increase the risk of premature birth. Not only that, cavities experienced by pregnant women can lead to gingivitis and trigger bacterial infections. Well, the toxins from these bacteria will then damage the gums causing bacteria to enter the body, and spread through the bloodstream.

5. Triggers Infection in the Fetus
Pregnant women who have an infection in the gums will have an impact on the health of the fetus in the womb. In this regard, infection can be transmitted to the fetus through the placental bloodstream. Bacteria that spread throughout the body will trigger heart problems in the mother. Moreover, the infection can be fatal to the fetus, such as miscarriage.

 

What precautions can be taken to maintain oral and dental health in pregnant women?

Mother of Friends of Hermina can maintain dental health starting before pregnancy, such as:

1. Brush your teeth properly and carefully move the brush in circles between your teeth. Brush your teeth up and down and vice versa, down and up.
2. Brush your teeth regularly with an appropriate toothpaste, twice a day and at night at bedtime.
3. Avoid foods that are too hot, cold, and acidic as well as biting into foods that are too hard.
4. Avoid the habit of piercing holes in the teeth, especially with unclean tools. If there is a hole in the tooth, go to the doctor for treatment.
5. Clean plaque or tartar regularly to the dentist. Six months before marriage, check your dental and oral health to the doctor.

During pregnancy, Friends of Hermina can do the following dental care tips:

1. Use a soft toothbrush and an appropriate size.
2. When pregnant women vomit or often salivate, don't forget to rinse your mouth. Gargle can be done with warm water spiked with salt. Gargling with warm water is also useful for cleaning the remnants of fat in the oral cavity and between the teeth.
3. Choose a toothpaste that does not stimulate allergies, especially for sensitive gums.
4. Brush your teeth properly and gently move the brush in circles between your teeth. Toothbrush up and down; and vice versa, downward direction up.
5. If there are health problems in the mouth that need to use mouthwash, you should pay attention to the label on the packaging about the contraindications for pregnant women. Pregnant women need to consult a dentist in the use of mouthwash, especially to overcome the bacteria that cause bad breath or to clean the acidity in the oral cavity.
6. Consume fibrous fruits that contain lots of vitamin C.
7. Meet the needs of calcium in accordance with the advice of a doctor or midwife, especially from natural food sources.

Hermina's friends who have complaints about dental problems, don't hesitate to check at Hermina Pandanaran Hospital.