Periodontal Disease
& Pregnancy
You know how important it is to take especially good care
of yourself during your pregnancy, both for your own health
and that of your unborn baby. What you may not know is
that it's also important to be mindful of your oral health
during pregnancy.
Oral health risks associated
with pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of
the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These elevated
hormone levels can affect many of the tissues in your
body, including your gums. As your hormone levels fluctuate,
your gums may react strongly and become particularly sensitive.
As a result, your gums may become more vulnerable to periodontal
disease, an infection of the gums and bone surrounding
the teeth, which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
In fact, some pregnant women develop "pregnancy gingivitis."
This is a condition that causes swollen, red, and tender
gums that may bleed when they brush or floss. Gingivitis
is an early form of periodontal disease. Pregnancy gingivitis
is most likely to appear in the second trimester and peak
in the middle of the third trimester. If you already had
gingivitis when you became pregnant, it's likely that
the condition will worsen as your pregnancy progresses.
Your pregnancy also puts you at risk for developing "pregnancy
tumors," which are large, non-cancerous growths around
or between
teeth that develop from swollen, irritated gums.
How your oral health
may affect your baby
Gingivitis and more advanced forms of periodontal disease
can affect the health of your baby. Bacteria can enter
the bloodstream through infected gums, travel to your
uterus, and trigger the production of prostaglandins,
a chemical in your body that's believed to cause premature
labor. As a result, your baby could be born too early,
and too small.
How to keep your mouth
healthy during pregnancy
You should remove plaque and food debris from your teeth
after each meal using dental floss, a toothbrush with
soft bristles, and fluoride toothpaste. If toothpaste
makes you feel nauseated, you can brush with plain water
and then rinse with an anti-plaque or fluoridated mouthwash.
We'll carefully monitor your oral health throughout your
pregnancy, cleaning your teeth as needed and evaluating
the effectiveness of your home hygiene routine. Be sure
to ask us if you have any questions about oral health
during your pregnancy. A healthy mouth will help to ensure
a comfortable pregnancy and a healthy baby!
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| Pay particular attention
to your gums |
Periodontal Disease & Respiratory
Infections
Do you wonder why you suffer from persistent episodes
of pneumonia or bronchitis? The answer may be hiding in
your gums.
The link between infected gums and
respiratory infections
Scientists have discovered a link between periodontal
disease, also called gum disease, and respiratory infections.
If you suffer from
periodontal disease, you may be inhaling harmful bacteria
from the infection in your gums into your lungs every
day. Evidence now indicates that bacteria in your lungs
can lead to respiratory infections like pneumonia, bronchitis,
emphysema, and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
What causes periodontal disease?
The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation
of plaque. Plaque is the sticky film of food and bacteria
that forms constantly on your teeth. If all of the plaque
isn’t removed each day, it builds up and mineralizes
to become tartar, also called calculus.
If tartar isn't removed, it begins to accumulate on the
root surfaces. Bacteria that cause periodontal disease
thrive in tartar where they
produce toxins. It's these toxins, combined with your
body's response to them, that destroy bone around your
teeth. Professional help is required to remove tartar,
because there's no way to remove it at home. A toothbrush
or floss won't even budge it.
Treating periodontal disease to protect
your health
If we determine that you have periodontal disease, we'll
recommend an appropriate treatment plan, and we'll work
with you to create a suitable oral hygiene routine. Prompt
treatment of periodontal disease removes the source of
bacteria, allows your gums to heal, and stops the progressive
loss of bone. Treatment also increases your overall health
and reduces your risk of respiratory infection, so you'll
be breathing easier!
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| Plaque stained red |
Bacteria live in pockets |
Infective Endocarditis
Periodontal disease and the dangers
of infective endocarditis
Infective endocarditis is a disease that can damage the
valves and tissues of the heart. When bacteria enter the
bloodstream and pass through the heart, they can cause
infective endocarditis in patients with certain heart
conditions.
Your mouth contains a variety of bacteria. Many common
dental procedures, such as routine teeth cleaning, can
cause minor bleeding that may allow these bacteria to
enter your blood.
Precautionary antibiotics
For most patients these bacteria are harmless, but we
need to take special precautions if you have a medical
history that includes a heart birth defect, prolapsed
valve, rheumatic fever, endocarditis, heart surgery, or
other related problems. In patients with these kinds of
conditions, a specific kind of bacteria can become lodged
in the heart and cause serious problems. To eliminate
the bacteria before they have a chance to cause an infection,
we prescribe a single dose of antibiotics for you to take
before treatment. If you have any drug allergies, or if
you have questions or concerns about our procedures, please
let us know. Our goal is to protect you and keep your
teeth, and heart, healthy.
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| Bacteria are always present
in your mouth |
Antibiotics prevent infection |
