Your must-know guide to dental care during pregnancy

While it is an old wives' tale that you'll lose a tooth during pregnancy due to a calcium deficiency, Dr JJ Serfontein, a dental surgeon in Cape Town, points out that it is possible that you will be more susceptible to certain oral health conditions. These include gingivitis (a gum infection) and periodontitis (an infection of the gums and bone).

"During pregnancy, your immune system focuses on protecting the foetus, which means that it can’t handle possible infections as it usually would,” explains Dr Serfontein. “Therefore, if there is an underlying infection, it could easily spiral out of control during pregnancy. Many of these chronic infections are undetected before pregnancy — as they are kept under control by the immune system — so you might not be aware of it. These infections might cause massive discomfort during pregnancy and even lead to premature birth."

Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin B can exacerbate oral health conditions during pregnancy too. Morning sickness can also affect your oral hygiene, as the stomach acids in vomit can damage your teeth and gums, and retching can prevent you from brushing and flossing as thoroughly and regularly as you should.

When to visit the dentist

You are less likely to run into trouble if you have good oral hygiene habits before and during pregnancy, says Dr Serfontein. "If you are planning on falling pregnant, it's a good idea to visit your dentist before doing so. This can prevent many issues that might occur during the pregnancy. Prevention is better than cure!"

As the most common condition associated with pregnancy is pregnancy gingivitis, Dr Serfontein also recommends visiting your dentist – and an oral hygienist – for a check-up and preventative dental cleaning during your pregnancy.

The second trimester is generally regarded as the safest period to visit the dentist — foetal organ development occurs during the first trimester and by the third trimester it may be uncomfortable to sit in the dentist's chair for long periods of time.

How safe is dental treatment during pregnancy?

The main reason why dentists don’t do X-rays, or administer anaesthetic or antibiotics during pregnancy is that they don't know how harmful these could be to the foetus, explains Dr Serfontein. “Most types of treatment shouldn’t be performed while you are pregnant, unless the potential harm of the disease or condition supersedes the possible complication of the actual treatment,” he says.

“If any procedures need to be done, it's important to take special care in protecting the patient and the foetus; there are many ways to do this. It's also important to consult with the treating gynaecologist before any medication is administered."

If, for example, you were to develop a tooth abscess, the dentist would need to deal with the problem immediately as infections associated with the teeth can cause septicaemia and septic shock, which would be harmful to both you and your baby.

However, cosmetic procedures or those that can be delayed are best put off until after the birth of your child.

Tips for taking care of your gums and teeth during pregnancy

- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to prevent the accumulation of bacteria.

- Rinse your mouth with warm water or an antibacterial mouthwash after vomiting. However, try to wait an hour before brushing your teeth.

- Make sure that you get plenty of calcium, vitamin C and vitamin B12 in your diet. 

- Make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you notice any changes in your gums. 

- Avoid sugary snacks and drinks that are carbonated or contain a lot of sugar.

-Chew xylitol-containing gum as it helps to decrease the amount of plaque on your teeth. 

- Make sure that your dentist knows you're pregnant.

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