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Dental care protects mom-to-be and childDear Dr. Reitz: My husband and I have moved twice in the last five years, and didn't have the time to find a dentist for routine care. I am now 15 weeks pregnant with our first child, and I now notice bleeding when I brush my teeth. Is it safe for the baby if I have dental treatment done during the pregnancy or should I wait until after the baby is born? - Susan Dear Susan: Congratulations, as an expectant mother you are going to want to do what is best for your child and at the same time ensure your own health. Fortunately, in the case of dental care your health and the baby's health go hand-in-hand. Hormone changes that occur during pregnancy increase your susceptibility to gum disease. Since one of the signs of gum disease is bleeding, it's likely you either have the beginning gum disease gingivitis or the more advanced periodontitis.Gum disease is caused by bacteria; your body tries to kill the bacteria by sending in inflammatory cells. Having a chronic area of inflammation in your body during the pregnancy has been found to increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight in babies. I realize that you are concerned with how dental treatment will affect your baby, however all the studies indicate that you are putting your baby at more risk by allowing an untreated dental problem to exist. During the first trimester the baby is in the embryonic stage, a time considered most sensitive to development. For this reason many dentists will recommend any necessary dental treatment wait until the second or third trimester. The exception would be toothache pain that requires immediate treatment regardless of the trimester. A recent study of over 800 pregnant women who underwent dental treatment between the 13th and 21st weeks of pregnancy found no incidents of adverse effects on the babies. The study also found no problems with using both topical and local anesthetic for the dental procedures. In my practice I often encourage my pregnant patients to have more frequent prophy visits, with one visit during the second trimester and a second visit just prior to the delivery. Don't let five years pass again before finding a dentist for your oral health needs. It's important that you set the right example for your child. This column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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