Looking after your teeth

Before you become pregnant

Visit your dentist

Morning sickness

Brushing is important

Fluoride

What about dental x-rays?

If you have cravings for certain foods

Calcium is very important

Passing decay-causing bacteria on to your baby

Is dental treatment during pregnancy safe?

Resources

During pregnancy your hormonal balance is altered and your gums may be more easily irritated by dental plaque. They may become inflamed and bleed.

Pregnancy does not cause dental decay. There is no truth in the old wives' tale that says a tooth is lost for every pregnancy. It is possible that poor dental health is linked to premature birth so keeping your teeth and gums healthy is important.

Before you become pregnant

• It is important to care for your teeth and gums before pregnancy.
• Dental plaque (bacteria, saliva and food remnants) needs to be cleaned from the teeth and gum-line by brushing twice daily and flossing regularly. Use a small, soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Visit your dentist

• It may be more comfortable for you to complete any dental treatment before pregnancy. You may have morning sickness or become tired as your pregnancy progresses.
• If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, it is important to tell your dental professional when you visit.
• During your pregnancy, ask your dental professional to check your gums and advise you how to care for them.
• Dentists and doctors are careful in prescribing medicines to pregnant woman and advise only those which are really needed. Some medicines such as tetracycline antibiotics can affect your baby's developing teeth.

Morning sickness

You may experience morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) during the first term of your pregnancy.

The stomach contents are acidic and can coat the teeth when you vomit. This acid can cause dental erosion by dissolving tooth enamel.

• To avoid damage to your teeth after vomiting or gastric reflux don't brush your teeth for at least an hour after vomiting.
• Instead,
  • Rinse your mouth with water after you vomit to help wash the acid away.
  • Smear some fluoride toothpaste on your teeth to refresh your mouth and help strengthen enamel.

Brushing is important

• To avoid plaque build up thoroughly clean your teeth and gums twice a day. Brush in the morning after breakfast and last thing at night before going to sleep.
• Some pregnant women find they gag while brushing their teeth. If brushing makes you feel sick try using a soft small headed toothbrush designed for children. Concentrate on your breathing as you clean your back teeth.
• Brushing without toothpaste may help. Then smear fluoride toothpaste over your teeth after brushing and don’t rinse it off. Return to brushing with fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible.

Fluoride

• Fluoride strengthens the teeth andhelps to prevent decay.
• Fluoride in toothpaste or water does not harm a developing baby.

What about dental x-rays?

• If possible dental x-rays should be avoided during pregnancy. If your dental professional considers it essential for you to have an x-ray, special care and protection will be taken.

If you have cravings for certain foods

• Frequent sugary or acidic snacks and drinks increase the risk of dental carries (decay) and erosion.
• Choose a wide variety of snacks which are low in sugar, fat and salt, and high in fibre.
• Drink tap water.
• Rinse your mouth with tap water between meals.

Calcium is very important

• Calcium is very important for your baby's teeth and bones.
• From four months your baby's teeth and bones begin to calcify. The calcium and phosphorus needed comes from what you eat, and if necessary from your bones. These minerals do not come from your teeth.
• From 7 months your baby needs even more calcium and phosphorous.
• These minerals are best obtained by you eating dairy foods.
  • Milk and milk products are excellent sources of calcium. Choose those that are low in fat and sugar.
  • If you don't drink milk or eat dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt, choose other products that are high in calcium (such as soy milk with added calcium). See your doctor or a dietician for advice. They may recommend calcium supplements.

• Check the packaging of any product you are having. Calcium will be one of the listed contents.

The recommended daily intake of calcium for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman over the age of 18 is 1000mg. The recommended daily intake of calcium for teenagers who are pregnant or breastfeeding is between 1000mg - 1300mg.

• The following foods are high in calcium. Choosing 4 serves of these foods will provide the daily amount of calcium you need
  • 1 glass (250ml) reduced fat milk - 360mg calcium
  • 1 tub (200g) non-fat or skim yoghurt - 360mg
  • 3cm cube (30g) reduced fat cheese - 260mg
  • 100g pink salmon with bones - 300mg
  • ½ cup spinach - 100mg

Passing decay-causing bacteria on to your baby

• Babies are born with no decay causing bacteria (germs) in their mouth.
• Everybody except newborns have varying levels of decay causing bacteria in their mouth.
• The bacteria are passed from person to person.
• Decay causing bacteria are passed to the baby by their carers and family through kissing, using the same spoon when eating or by cleaning the dummy in their own mouth. Babies' teeth are at risk from these bacteria from the time the teeth first appear.
• Carers, especially mothers, can lower the amount of bacteria passed to their baby by keeping their own teeth and mouth healthy. Remember to brush your teeth after breakfast and before bedtime, floss regularly, choose healthy snacks, limit how often you eat sugary food, drink tap water and have a dental check up.
• It is important to have your own decay treated so you will have lower levels of bacteria in your mouth.

Is dental treatment during pregnancy safe?

• Speak with your dental professional about whether you need treatment during your pregnancy.
• You may be more comfortable when lying back in the dental chair, with your right hip raised using a pillow or towel.

Resources

• Your dentist.