Treating gum disease in pregnancy

Progesterone, the dominant pregnancy hormone, is responsible for a lot of changes in a woman's body while she is expecting a baby. Some, like thicker and shinier hair, are great. Others, like being more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay, you'd rather do without. What can you expecting from gum disease treatment in pregnancy?

Why are dentists cautious about treating gum disease in pregnancy? Gum disease can be extremely aggressive, and the bacteria that cause it may not be eliminated from the mouth even after several treatment attempts. There are various approaches to treating gum disease, but the antibiotic tetracycline one of the heavier antibiotics is usually part of a treatment plan. This antibiotic is thought to be dangerous during pregnancy, which is why some dentists may prefer delaying treatment of gum disease.

Gum disease and your baby Gum disease is, of course, extremely unpleasant. In the long run, your teeth can fall out and your jaw bone can be damaged. But gum disease during pregnancy may also be dangerous to your baby. Did you know that gum disease is associated with a significantly higher chance of premature birth with all the risks this poses to a baby?

Safe treatment Waiting with treatment could therefore be rather dangerous. A recent study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that a non-drug treatment called scaling and cleaning greatly benefits pregnant women who are suffering from gum disease. "It is appropriate for obstetricians to refer patients who require dental care to the dentist," the study team said. "It's not enough to treat periodontal disease, however," the researchers warned, pointing out that the gum disease actually has to be halted for benefits to show. "The treatment must be 'successful' and why the scaling and planing treatment was successful in some women and not others isn't known yet." You're probably also interested in reading: Pregnant women with gum disease should use mouthwash.