Brushing teeth during pregnancy

Regular brushing of teeth during pregnancy - in the morning and before bed, with a soft brush and toothpaste, using dental floss (once a day), antibacterial mouthwashes - is very important.

But is dental plaque cleaning, which is done by dentists, necessary? And, most importantly, can pregnant women do it?

Indications and contraindications for brushing teeth during pregnancy

First, it is worth recalling how the condition of the teeth and gums changes during pregnancy. Increased hormone levels during pregnancy - in particular, estrogen and progesterone - affect almost all systems of the woman's body, and the oral cavity is no exception. Due to excess hormones and increased circulating blood volume, almost half of pregnant women experience swollen and bleeding gums. The specificity of enzyme production during gestation leads to the fact that every third pregnant woman has increased saliva production, which contributes to the formation of plaque on tooth enamel.

According to experts, the physiological decrease in the body's defenses often leads to the development of so-called pregnancy gingivitis, problems with periodontal tissues, and increased tooth mobility (in some people, the interdental spaces become wider in the last trimester of pregnancy).

In women with early toxicosis, frequent vomiting can destroy the enamel of the back of the front teeth: gastric acid, getting into the oral cavity, significantly increases the level of acidity in it. That is why doctors recommend rinsing the mouth with a soda solution (a teaspoon of baking soda per 200 ml) to neutralize the acid after the vomiting attack ends.

As you can see, all these factors contribute to the intensive deposition of soft plaque, and in some cases, tartar. And these are the main indications for cleaning teeth during pregnancy, that is, for a dentist to remove plaque.

Many dentists claim that this procedure can be performed on pregnant women and is even beneficial. However, the presence of hardened deposits (tartar) on the necks of the teeth has a negative effect on the condition of the periodontium, as it gradually spreads into the gum pockets, peeling the gum tissue away from the teeth. There is no arguing about the harm of plaque, but there are doubts about the benefits of professional teeth cleaning during pregnancy, otherwise expectant mothers would not ask whether there are any contraindications to teeth cleaning during pregnancy. And there are indeed contraindications...

Removal of tartar and soft deposits on the surface of teeth is carried out in several ways. Mechanical (using a hand tool) and chemical are not recommended for pregnant women: the first - due to possible damage to the gums and infection, the second - due to the presence of hydrochloric acid, chloroform and iodine in the chemical compositions used.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning during pregnancy

But ultrasonic teeth cleaning during pregnancy is positioned as a method that is completely safe for the health of the mother and fetus, since "the procedure does not require anesthesia and is carried out without the use of any medications." However, if it is necessary to remove tartar located under the gum, then anesthesia is used (it's just that not all clinics report this on their Internet pages).

In addition, after the destruction of tartar, the enamel on the teeth is polished and then fluoridated by applying special preparations. Most often, this is Fluorlak, which contains sodium fluoride, fir balsam and chloroform. Excessive amounts of sodium fluoride (like any fluorine compound) can cause allergic reactions, as well as lead to dysfunction of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) and damage to the pineal gland (the pineal gland of the brain). This substance is most dangerous in cases of kidney failure and diabetes.

Bleeding gums (which many pregnant women already experience) and dental hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity) may also occur.

Contraindications to ultrasonic teeth cleaning are various orthopedic structures and dental implants; acute forms of acute respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis and asthma; hepatitis, tuberculosis and HIV; severe diabetes; oncological pathologies of any localization, as well as pregnancy.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends avoiding major dental procedures during pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus's organ systems are being laid down and developed, and the fetus is very sensitive to external influences on the mother's body. After about the 20th week of pregnancy, women should not lie on their backs for long periods of time: this can put pressure on large blood vessels and disrupt blood flow to the placenta. And in the second half of the third trimester, there is a certain risk of premature labor, because the uterus quickly enters into tone with the slightest external influence or excitement of the pregnant woman.

Brushing your teeth during pregnancy is necessary, and you can deal with soft plaque on your teeth using tooth powder (instead of paste) and wiping the surface of your teeth with a solution of the same baking soda. And it is better to contact a doctor about removing tartar after the birth of your child.