See “Losing a Tooth for Every Child (Part One)”
The Ministry of Health answers the question of whether dental treatment can be undergone during pregnancy, when necessary.
Which dental treatments can be safely carried out during pregnancy?
- Dental treatment is safe and essential for maintaining health during pregnancy: pregnancy is not a reason to postpone routine dental care or the treatment of acute or necessary conditions.
- Diagnostic measures, including necessary X-rays, can be safely carried out by taking the recommended precautions.
- Removal of supragingival tartar and root planing to control and treat gingivitis and periodontitis can be safely performed, although metronidazole, whether applied locally or systemically, should be avoided during the first trimester.
- Treatment of acute dental infections, or of any possible oral sources of infection, should be carried out at any stage of pregnancy.
- Necessary dental treatments, including endodontic therapy and tooth extractions, can be safely undertaken.
- Diagnostic measures, preventive care and necessary treatments can generally be carried out during pregnancy; in case of doubt, consult the gynaecologist following the pregnancy.
- Urgent dental care can be provided at any time during pregnancy; delays in treatment could cause unpredictable harm to the mother and, potentially, to the fetus.
But which dental medications can be safely used during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, when there is a therapeutic need, certain medications commonly used for dental procedures and the treatment of oral conditions can be used; these include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and local anaesthetics with a sufficient safety profile for use during pregnancy.
Can the presence of dental disease in the pregnant woman increase the child's risk of tooth decay?
The higher the level of active tooth decay and cariogenic bacteria in the mother's oral biofilm, the greater the risk of vertical transmission and the consequent colonisation of the child's oral surfaces; correlations also exist with the mother's overall level of oral hygiene, the presence of periodontitis, and the frequency of sugary meals.
And once the child is born, how should parents behave? All healthcare providers should advise women that the following actions can reduce the risk of dental disease in their children:
- Clean the baby's gums, even before teeth erupt, after feeding, using a soft gauze pad or a very soft-bristled brush; once the first teeth appear, clean them with a very soft toothbrush.
- Avoid putting the baby to bed with a pacifier or a bottle containing anything other than water.
- Limit sugary foods to mealtimes only.
- Avoid behaviours that involve saliva exchange, such as sharing the baby's feeding spoon or pacifier, cleaning the pacifier with your own saliva, or exchanging saliva during play.
Dr M. Mazzanti, dental surgeon