Pregnancy Oral Health:

For You and Your Baby

Presented by Nicole Brown and Susannah Delaney

Hormonal changes can affect

your gums
During pregnancy, your body produces exaggerated
responses to plaque
Gingival reactions may occur by the second month
including:
Increased inflammation

Increased bleeding

Periodontal infections may result in a preterm, low

birth weight baby

Examples
Pregnancy gingivitis

Dark red
Swollen
If left untreated, inflammation continues as
hormone levels rise through the
eighth month

Pyogenic granuloma
Benign
Painless
Bleeds easily

Morning Sickness
Vomiting over a long period of time can lead to
demineralization and enamel erosion of teeth
Do NOT brush immediately after vomiting
Use a baking soda and water rinse after vomiting
to neutralize the acid
tsp baking soda in 1 cup warm water

Use gentle toothbrushing

Oral Hygiene
When should I get my teeth professionally cleaned
while pregnant?
Dental hygiene appointments should be scheduled as early
as possible
Cleanings scheduled during each trimester may be required

The 2nd trimester is considered the safest for general dental

treatment.
During the 3rd trimester, lay in chair with right hip raised or lay
on left side to prevent circulatory insufficiencies due to the
weight of the baby pressing on the major blood vessels.

Best Oral Hygiene Practices

Brush 2x day
2 minutes
Soft bristle brush
Fluoridated toothpaste

Floss every day

C-shaped method

Use nonalcoholic antimicrobial rinse (Listerine Zero)

Tooth
Development
and Eruption

Baby teeth begin to develop in

between the 6th and 7th week of
prenatal development
Baby teeth begin to erupt around 6
months of age

Drooling

Signs of Tooth
Eruption

Loss of appetite
Irritability and restlessness
Swollen gums

Eruption Chart

Teething
Manageme
nt
Teething ring
Fluids
Comfort baby
OTC pain
medication
(ibuprofen or
acetaminophen)

Functions of Baby Teeth

Chewing
Support for cheeks and lips
Esthetics
Speech
Maintaining space

Oral Hygiene Care for your Baby

Cleaning your Babys Mouth

Cleaning your Babys Teeth

1.Hold baby on lap

1.Soft Bristle Toothbrush

2.Dampen a soft
washcloth or gauze

2.Fluoride-free Toothpaste

3.Gently rub babys upper

and lower gums with
damp washcloth
4.Clean after each meal
or 2x daily

3.Pea-sized amount or
grain-sized amount
4.Brush 2x daily for 2
minutes
5.Use gentle circular

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as eruption
begins
Most often affects top teeth
Finish bottle before nap or bedtime
No juice or soda in bottles
No honey on pacifier

References
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/infant
-oral-care/article/your-infants-mouth
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/eruption-charts
Wilkins, Esther. Clinical Practice Of The Dental Hygienist.
11th edition. 2013. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. pgs 744751.
Gehrig, Jill and Willmann, Donald. Foundations Of
Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist. Fourth edition. 2016.
Wolters Kluwer. pgs 257-259.