When a woman becomes pregnant, she undergoes many physiological and hormonal changes in her body. Estrogen levels at this point are at the highest, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. At this stage, gingivitis can crop up due to tooth decay which may lead to tooth loss. For these women, getting dental implants may be the best option.
This procedure, however, should be conducted at certain stages of the pregnancy and carried out only by highly experienced oral surgeons. The dentist may advise you to avoid a number of activities and procedures pre-surgery and post-surgery.
Early Pregnancy TipsDental implants surgery involves the use of dental x-rays and anesthesia. Any exposure to any of the two could be very dangerous especially during the first and third semesters of pregnancy. The reason being, during the two semesters the fetus is at its most delicate stage.
In the first semester, there is the formation of the brain cells and other vital cells. Exposure to x-rays may lead to an under developed baby or a mentally challenged child. Most dentists recommend any oral procedure to be done during the second semester.
Since dental implants are tiny titanium posts, the surgical procedure may lead to further jaw bone complications. Any surgical procedure done during pregnancy is fraught with complications.
Induced stress could be another concern about why not to continue with the procedure. According to the American Pregnancy Association, high anxiety levels in a pregnant woman could affect the development of the fetus. Such selective and intentional surgery is likely to induce unneeded stress to the fetus during an already stressful time. The Association recommends patients to wait until she has delivered her baby.
Urgency should be taken into consideration first. If the tooth situation is not urgent it is even better to wait after birth for one to wait for the procedure. If it is urgent, you could consider having the tooth totally removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, keeping damaged teeth would demand her immune system to go into overdrive, stressing the fetus.
Hygiene And Diet To FollowPregnant women must follow strict oral hygiene all through the gestation period. In the case of morning vomiting, you should use a bland toothpaste then rinse your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash. If not available, you can always count on a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water.
This is to prevent unnecessary build-up of bacteria and acid from infecting the teeth. You should also look out for puffy gums which are quite common during pregnancy.
Maintain a well-balanced diet. You should also avoid intake of sugary snacks as bacteria thrives off carbohydrate-rich environments. Always go for dairy products for stronger and healthier bones, which are beneficial for both mothers and their developing fetuses.
Not all dental procedures are risky for pregnant mothers. Some like teeth whitening can be performed while pregnant. Dental inlays and outlays can also be done while one is pregnant as they do not pose any risk. It is worth noting that even if these procedures are safe, it is still better to make sure that they are performed during the second semester. It is during this period that stress levels are at the lowest.
