Advise women to schedule an appointment with a dentist as early in the pregnancy as possible. And oral health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing. However, these patients are not medically compromised and should not be denied dental treatment simply because they are pregnant. Pregnant women with either private or medicaid insurance are less likely to receive dental care during pregnancy than their nonpregnant counterparts 21, 22. Apr 15, 2008 in addition to a lack of practice standards, barriers to dental care during pregnancy include inadequate dental insurance, persistent myths about the effects of pregnancy on dental health, and. Guidelines address topics such as perinatal and infant oral health care and oral health care for pregnant adolescents. Pdf pregnancy is a dynamic state leading to several physiological transient changes in the body systems including the oral cavity. Facts for mom, facts for bab y publication 0834 printable wallet card author. However,your dentist can treat periodontaldiseaseeven whenyou are pregnant. Despite the lack of evidence that prenatal oral health care improves pregnancy outcomes, ample evidence shows that oral health care during pregnancy is safe and should be recommended to improve the oral and general health of the woman. Up to 70% of pregnant women experience gingivitis associated with changes in hormone levels during pregnancy. Pregnancy aiornia enta ssociation california dental association. A national consensus statementsummary of an expert workgroup meeting.
Tell your dentist that you are pregnant and about any changes you have noticed in your oral health. Preston street, baltimore, md 212012399 410 7676500 or 18774633464. The new york state department of health published oral health care during. The american dental association recommends continuing your regular oral health care routine unbroken throughout your pregnancy, including dental checkups and cleanings. Dental care during pregnancy is safe and important.
However, for prescriptions it depends on where you live. The meeting was held on october 18, 2011, at georgetown university in washington, dc. Upon learning of your pregnancy, plan your first dental health checkup. Unfortunately, oral health issues can be common during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a unique time in a womans life, accompanied by a variety of physiologic, anatomic and hormonal changes that can affect how oral health care is provided. The impact of oral disease in new york state december 2006 pdf, 1. Practice guidelines these practice guidelines are intended for use by prenatal care, oral health, and child health professionals in bringing about changes in the healthcaredelivery system and improving the standard of care for pregnant women and young children. Schedule a second prenatal dental health check in six months. Dental care during pregnancy is extremely important. Despite the lack of evidence that prenatal oral health care improves pregnancy outcomes, ample evidence shows that oral health care during pregnancy is safe and should be recommended to improve the oral and general health of. Pregnancy and dental care poster printer friendly version pdf, 281kb, 1pg.
Pregnancy is not a disease state but instead it is a sign of being healthy. Getting a checkup during pregnancy is safe and important for your dental health. Oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan. Oral health care during pregnancy expert workgroup. Routine dental treatment is safe during pregnancy, although some procedures or medication should be avoided in the first 3 months, so be sure to tell your dentist you are pregnant. Not all oral care products are the same, so be sure to choose a toothpaste and mouthwash designed to treat plaque and gingivitis. During pregnancy, increased hormone levels can affect the way your body reacts to plaque that builds up on your teeth, causing redness, swelling and even bleeding gums. Nov 06, 2019 not having insurance coverage can limit dental care during pregnancy 15, 16. Major takeaways for dental care during ttc, pregnancy and nursing. Oral health during pregnancy american dental association. Childrens dental s e r v i c e s dental care during infancy, early childhood, and pregnancy main clinic. Oral health and dental care during pregnancy barbara j. Dental care in pregnancy american college of nurse midwives. And more than half of women report not seeing a dental professional during pregnancy.
Understanding the dental need and care during pregnancy. Neglecting dental care is far worse than your exposure to potential toxins in the products you use. Routine dental care can be done any time during pregnancy. The major takeaways are to continue dental care through ttc, pregnancy, and nursing. They usually go away on their own after pregnancy, but they can be removed under a local anesthetic if they bother you. If you currently have public health insurance such as medicaid managed care, family health plus, or child health plus, use the links below to locate a dental provider who accepts these kinds of insurance. Pregnancygingivitisduringpregnancy, changes in hormone levels allow bacteria to growinthemouthand gums more easily. Advice for pregnant women dental health services victoria. We look forward to delivering this message with our national partners. The poster is written in simple language with text in english on one side and in spanish on the other. While oral health is always important, it is more so during pregnancy. A healthy person is not expected to lose their teeth without any reason. Free prescriptions and nhs dental care in pregnancy money. This publication was made possible by grant number h47mc00048 from the maternal and child health bureau.
A national consensus statementsummary of an expert workgroup meet. You will be seeing your gynecologist, general practitioner, and others. Getting healthy before pregnancy and staying healthy throughout is an important priority for expectant moms. In england, prescriptions are free while youre pregnant and for a year after the birth, if you have a valid maternity exemption certificate matex.
Whether we are women, health providers or policymakers, each one of us can make a difference in a womans health and be proactive by promoting oral. The womans body is subject to hormonal changes leading to several physical changes in the oral cavity during pregnancy. Oral health care, including having dental radiographs taken and being given local anesthesia, is safe at any point during pregnancy. To stop the cycle, expectant mothers should see a dentist for regular care while pregnant and address any issues or concerns related to their oral health and pregnancy. For the patient receiving regular dental care, this brief absence from the. Gynecologists and the american dental association and coordinated by the national maternal and child oral health resource center. Not having insurance coverage can limit dental care during pregnancy 15, 16. Professional dental care and a good athome oral health routine are an essential part of a healthy pregnancy. Furthermore, access to dental care during pregnancy remains limited. In women, dental care is much more important during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal periods.
Women are more prone to both of these conditions during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. When you are pregnant, there will be many different health care professionals to visit. Both gum disease and tooth decay are caused by plaque formation. Dental care during pregnancy based on the pregnancy risk. Guidelines are, therefore, needed to assist health care professionals in improving clinical practice and to promote oral health in pregnant women and children. Pregnancy is a unique period during a womans life and is characterized by complex physi.
National maternal and child oral health resource center. Dental care in pregnancy why is dental care in pregnancy important. Pregnancy give kids a smile gkas volunteers provide free dental health education, screenings, preventive care, andor treatment for kids. Regular dental care is a key component to good oral and general health. Pregnant women with poor oral health risk passing cavity causing bacteria on to their newborns. The type of insurance has also been associated with use of dental care during pregnancy. Pregnant women may also be at risk for cavities due to changes in behaviors, such as eating habits.
Some patients may avoid dental treatment altogether during pregnancy out of fear of adverse effects on the fetus and because of social taboo. Nhs dental care is free in the uk while youre pregnant, and for a whole year after your baby is born. However, it is important that you remember to visit the dentist. Nov 28, 2019 to sustain oral and dental health for a life time, effective and adequate care is essential. Pregnancy outcome after in utero exposure to local anaesthetics as part of dental treatment. Baby teeth and oral hygeine are important to your babys and childs health keywords.
Funded by the maternal and child health bureau the poster was produced by connecticut dental health partnership. New york state dpeartment of health bureau of dental health subject. While fluoride may have been somewhat of a risk in ttc, you are encouraged to use it during pregnancy. Also try a soft power brush to make plaque removal easier. If you haveaninfection in yourteethorgums, the chanceofyour baby beingpremature born early or havinglow birth weight maybe slightly higher than ifyourteethandgums are healthy what is periodontal disease. Dental concerns during pregnancy american dental association. Guidelines for oral health care in pregnancy dental care is safe and essential during pregnancy pregnancy is not a reason to defer routine dental care or treatment diagnostic measures, including needed dental xrays, can be undertaken safely. Not only can you take care of cleanings and procedures like cavity fillings before your baby is born, but your dentist can help you with any pregnancyrelated dental symptoms you might be experiencing. During pregnancy, you are more likely to have problems with your teeth or gums. The elevated risk of dental problems during pregnancy means its essential to take good care of your teeth during this time. Guidance for texas prenatal and dental providers pdf oral health screening checklist pdf dental pharmacological considerations pdf dental referral form for pregnant women pdf oral health tips for pregnant women english pdf spanish pdf. To sustain oral and dental health for a life time, effective and adequate care is essential. From keeping up with daily oral hygiene, to monitoring changes in young mouth, the more intune you are with your oral health the healthier your baby will be. Oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan acog.
Some of these changes may cause tooth decay, erosion and periodontal health changes. Eat well your growing babys calcium demands are high so you should increase your own calcium consumption to compensate. Oral health care during pregnancy pennant hills dental centre. Keeping your mouth healthy during pregnancy american dental. Oral health during pregnancy national womens health. If you have an infection in your teeth or gums, the chance of your baby being premature born early or having low birth weight may be slightly higher than if your teeth and gums are healthy. Why you need a prenatal dental care checkup colgate. Hilton, dds, mphc,f, hiroko iida, dds, mphd, renee samelson, md, mphe introduction pregnancy is a unique period during a womans life and is characterized by complex. Although these growths are called pregnancy tumors, they are not cancerous. Tooth loss that sometimes occurs during pregnancy is most often the result of either tooth decay or gum disease.
Why are pregnant women more at risk for periodontal disease. What you need to know about oral health and pregnancy. Pdf dental treatment for the pregnant patient researchgate. Duringpregnancy, you are more likely to have problems with yourteethorgums. Not only can you take care of cleanings and procedures like cavity fillings before your baby is born, but your dentist can help you with any pregnancy related dental symptoms you might be experiencing. Dental care during pregnancy is safe and important english. A companion document, oral health care during pregnancy. The headline on our infographic delivers a crucial message for women. Prenatal dental care is the care of the oral cavity during fetal development. The american academy of pediatrics aap and childrens dental health project cdhp have. There are 2 major reasons women can have dentalproblemsduringpregnancy.
All elective dental procedures, however, should be postponed until after the delivery. Oral health care, including the use of xrays, pain medication, and local anesthesia, is safe, important, and covered by medicaid throughout pregnancy. Its recommended to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Dental care before, during, and after pregnancy webmd. Jan, 2017 pregnancy outcome after in utero exposure to local anaesthetics as part of dental treatment. Oral health during pregnancy american family physician.