Mother’s Day is a day for
celebration and honoring the wonderful mothers in our lives, and remembering
the sacrifices that motherhood brings. Did you know that a visit to the
dentist should be high on the health check-list of all mothers-to-be, or those
planning to start a family?
During pregnancy, pregnancy
gingivitis may set in during the second or third month of pregnancy and
increase in severity until the eighth month. Swollen, bleeding, reddish and
tender gums may develop. In some cases, such swollen gums can react strongly to
irritants and become big lumps. These are called pregnancy tumors, but they are
not cancerous and are generally painless. They usually resolve after the
delivery of the baby.
Some studies have shown that
pregnant women who have periodontal disease may have a higher chance of
delivering too early and have a low birth-weight baby. In addition, maternal
oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontal infection and caries can affect
the oral health of both the mother and her child because bacteria can be
transmitted.
The use of birth control pills may
also lead to the same oral health conditions of pregnant women. Bleeding,
reddish and swollen gums may develop. Furthermore, certain drugs such as
antibiotics, when taken together with birth control pills, may reduce the
effect of the oral contraceptive. It is important therefore that women planning
for pregnancy have their gums and teeth checked early by their dentist. This
will be a good start to a healthy and happy pregnancy and the memorable journey
to
motherhood.
Specialist
Dental Group is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore
(CAS). For more information on the different types of dental treatments, send
an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com
or call 6733 7883.
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