Why is it necessary to have a comprehensive oral examination before pregnancy?

Author: Wang Shuang, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Reviewer: Wan Kuo, Chief Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Pregnancy is a wonderful process, but before welcoming a new life, expectant mothers need to make comprehensive preparations. Oral health is often overlooked, but in fact, pre-pregnancy oral examinations are essential. Studies have shown that oral health is closely related to the health of the fetus. Oral infections (such as periodontal disease) may lead to premature birth, low birth weight and other problems. Therefore, ensuring oral health can help protect the development of the fetus and improve the pregnancy experience. Healthy oral health can reduce discomfort during pregnancy (such as oral ulcers, toothache, etc.), allowing expectant mothers to better enjoy the pregnancy process.

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1. Why is pre-pregnancy oral examination important?

1. Pregnancy is a high-risk period for oral diseases

1. Changes in hormone levels: Changes in hormone levels can cause congestion and hyperplasia of the gums in pregnant women, and even form gingival tumors during pregnancy.

2. Changes in eating habits during pregnancy: During pregnancy, mothers may like to eat sweet, acidic, and spicy foods more than usual, and the increased frequency of eating makes them more likely to suffer from problems such as dental caries, enamel erosion, or oral mucosal inflammation.

3. Poor oral hygiene during pregnancy: Due to morning sickness, physical discomfort and inconvenience in movement, people give up brushing their teeth or reduce the frequency and time of brushing their teeth, making them more susceptible to oral diseases.

4. No oral examination and treatment before pregnancy: Oral lesions have always existed and have acute attacks during pregnancy.

2. What are the dangers of oral diseases during pregnancy?

1. Pain: Pain caused by oral problems may trigger uterine contractions, leading to miscarriage or premature birth.

2. Eating: Difficulties in eating lead to nutritional intake disorders and affect fetal development.

3. Infection: If oral infection is not controlled in time, it may endanger the life safety of pregnant women and fetuses in severe cases.

4. Transmission: Caries-causing bacteria can be transmitted to children through close contact, increasing the risk of dental caries in infants and young children.

2. Can you just endure oral problems during pregnancy?

No need to do that!

If you are already pregnant and have symptoms such as bleeding when brushing teeth, swollen and painful gums, toothache, etc., please seek medical attention immediately without delay. The dentist will develop a personalized treatment plan for you and provide you with safe and comfortable oral diagnosis and treatment.

1. Technical safety: Routine oral treatments can be performed during pregnancy, such as caries fillings, root canal treatment, teeth cleaning, etc. These treatments are safe.

2. Pain control: Various analgesic measures can ensure that pregnant women can complete oral treatment in a naturally relaxed state.

3. Medication safety: The doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment and strictly follow the guidelines to select safe medications to fully ensure the safety of pregnant women and fetuses.

4. Radiation safety: Oral X-ray examinations are fully protected, and the radiation absorption dose is far lower than the minimum dose that causes fetal malformations.

3. How to prevent oral diseases during pregnancy?

1. It is recommended to have a comprehensive oral examination and treatment before pregnancy

1. Treat dental caries promptly when discovered to avoid the development of pulpitis and apical periodontitis.

2. Dental tartar and gingivitis require regular periodontal cleaning, which is what we often call teeth cleaning.

3. Periodontitis requires systematic periodontal treatment to remove deep-seated tartar and bacteria.

4. Don’t forget to check the wisdom teeth hidden deep inside. Removing wisdom teeth that may cause pain and infection will eliminate hidden dangers in advance.

2. Effective oral health care

Don't be lazy and clean your mouth carefully every day, such as rinsing your mouth after each meal, brushing your teeth effectively every morning and evening, and using dental floss to clean food debris and plaque on the adjacent surfaces of your teeth.

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Pre-pregnancy oral examination is an important part of ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Timely detection and treatment of oral problems can not only protect the health of the expectant mother, but also lay a solid foundation for the healthy growth of the fetus. Therefore, during the period of preparing for pregnancy, please pay attention to oral health and have regular oral examinations to be fully prepared for welcoming a new life.