What are the causes of tooth decay in pregnancy and how can they be prevented?
Tooth decay during pregnancy is one of the problems faced by pregnant women and they may not know the reasons for it properly. The main reasons for tooth decay during pregnancy can be related to factors such as morning sickness during pregnancy, gum diseases and problems, reduced level of hygiene, etc.
Tooth decay in pregnancy
Tooth decay occurs during pregnancy for various reasons, the most important of which are as follows:
Nausea and vomiting
This is one of the main causes of tooth decay in pregnancy, which causes a lot of stomach acid to enter the oral cavity, and this acid causes the loss of tooth enamel and causes decay.
Decreased level of hygiene
One of the other reasons that lead to tooth decay is a decrease in the level of hygiene and compliance with hygiene measures. With the progress of pregnancy, numbness and excessive fatigue in pregnant women, causes them to pay less attention to their oral and dental hygiene and the possibility of tooth decay increases in them.
After all, the increase in appetite in a pregnant woman and her desire and interest in some kind of food or sweets will increase the number of times she eats all kinds of food. In this way, if brushing and flossing are delayed, we face a higher rate of tooth decay.
Gum diseases
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, especially the increase in progesterone, sometimes cause gum diseases, especially gingivitis. These inflammations are more common in the second or third month, and if they start, they usually continue until the end of pregnancy. In this way, after the delivery and discharge of the pregnant mother, these diseases and inflammation of the gums will also end.
It should be noted that in this case you must see a dentist. Otherwise, and not treating the gum disease, with its progress; Gum infection will increase and eventually lead to loose teeth.
For this reason, it is often recommended that you visit a dentist before starting pregnancy and while checking the health of all your teeth and removing cavities, check the health of your gums as well. If there are any problems in this regard, the dentist will perform the necessary treatments before the start of pregnancy. In this way, the risk of gum disease during pregnancy is minimized.
Important note: remember that inflammation of the gums and its infections during pregnancy is a very serious risk and may endanger the health of the fetus. In some cases, gum inflammation and infection cause premature or low birth weight babies and cause problems in this field.
Important advice
Keep in mind that you can use the following techniques to prevent tooth decay during pregnancy:
- See a dentist before pregnancy.
- Maintain good oral and dental hygiene during pregnancy.
- Use mouthwash and toothpaste containing fluoride.
- If you see any inflammation or problem in the gums, see a doctor immediately.
