UNDERSTANDING PREGNANCY
Congratulations on your pregnancy! The Gentle Dentistry team in Tampa, Florida, finds this can be an exciting time for many women. Pregnancy is the timeline from the conception of a baby (egg fertilization) to its birth. There are three distinct phases during pregnancy, referred to as trimesters, each lasting three months. Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto can help you learn more about how pregnancy relates to your dental health.
SOME PREGNANCY STATISTICS FOR WOMEN
- Over 460,000 babies are born prematurely, and over 300,000 with a low birth weight
- Approximately 600,000 women will experience a miscarriage during their pregnancy
- Over 750,000 women admit to drinking alcohol while pregnant
- Approximately 820,000 women smoke cigarettes while pregnant
- About 80% of expectant mothers are diagnosed with acid reflux, from mild to severe
- Every year there are about two million women in the United States who experience pregnancy loss
- In the first trimester of pregnancy, nausea in the morning, known as morning sickness, is extremely common and bothersome to most women
- Sweet and sugar cravings that are intense are also common during this time
- Nausea, a universal pregnancy symptom, affects up to 85% of pregnant women
- There are about six million pregnancies every year in the United States
HOW IS YOUR PREGNANCY LINKED TO YOUR ORAL HEALTH?
Dental problems during pregnancy are common. There is a known link between pregnancy complications and periodontal disease, including preeclampsia (sudden rises in blood pressure during pregnancy) and premature labor. A study exploring the link between periodontal disease and preeclampsia found that half of the placentas of the women diagnosed with preeclampsia had oral pathogens. Another study analyzed the amniotic fluid in pregnant women, finding bacteria commonly found in the mouth and often associated with the development of gum disease or periodontitis.
Pregnancy is known to cause shifting levels of hormones which can significantly increase the chances of a woman developing periodontal disease. This, in turn, can affect the baby’s health. Bacteria that is responsible for the development of tooth decay is also passed to the baby in the uterus. Sugar consumption also makes a difference. The more often you give in to these cravings for sugary products, the higher the risk of tooth decay. Additionally, women may experience increased oral acidity during pregnancy that can erode the natural tooth enamel, eventually weakening teeth. Women who experience acid reflux related to pregnancy will be at a much greater risk of periodontal or tooth problems during their pregnancy.
VISIT THE DENTIST TO DISCUSS YOUR PREGNANCY
If you are pregnant and have not been to see the dentist in a significant period, now is the time to connect with a dental team who can evaluate your oral health and provide recommendations for maintaining a healthy smile with a healthy pregnancy!
Call Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto of Gentle Dentistry in Tampa, FL, at (813) 734-7102 to request a consultation visit.
