A Tooth For Every Baby?

A Tooth For Every Baby?!

Have you ever heard the saying “gain a kid, lose a tooth”? If not, there is an old wives tale that says a person will lose a tooth for every baby they have. While this may be a stretch, there is some significance behind this claim. Good dental health during pregnancy is imperative, as many studies have found that pregnancy can interfere with calcium absorption and pregnancy naturally increases hormones that can have a negative effect on oral health.

The American Dental Association continues to reiterate the importance of dental health during pregnancy, since maternal periodontal infection could be linked to pre-term, low birth weight babies. At this time, there is an interesting relationship between obstetrical care providers and dental providers.

Obstetrical care providers are not compensated to handle their pregnant patient’s dental concerns, and they are unfamiliar with dental care processes. Dentists, on the other hand, have differing opinions on the management of pregnant patients and often do not want to take on the liability of managing the care of a pregnant person. In a study done in North Carolina, the following data was found:

56% of pregnant women did not have a dental cleaning during pregnancy
48% of pregnant women stated an obstetrical provider did not mention the importance of oral health to them during their pregnancy
17% of pregnant women stated they had a dental visit during their current pregnancy
60% of medical providers did not ask if patient had dentist
54% of pregnant women identified their oral health as fair to very poor
40% of pregnant women reported having dental insurance
30% of pregnant women had untreated tooth decay
23% of pregnant women had bleeding gums
18% of pregnant women reported having sensitive teeth
10% of pregnant women reported having oral pain
41% of pregnant women needed dental treatment

How Pregnancy Impacts Dental Health

Oral health can impact the overall health of a pregnant person, as well as the oral health of their baby. Fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy and nausea/vomiting can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay. Additionally, hormonal and vascular changes that come with pregnancy can exaggerate the response to plaque bacteria, which can increase the incidence of gingivitis. Pregnant people who have gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of periodontal disease because they are more susceptible to infection.

So how is this related to a baby? We know for certain that there is an unmistakable relationship between maternal oral health and child oral health. Pregnant people with high levels of tooth decay are more likely to transfer bacteria than infants that can affect their oral health in the future. A pregnant person’s oral health status is a strong indicator of the oral health of their children. DNA evidence suggests that most infants and young children acquire oral health bacteria from their mothers, although the exact modes of transmission are still being determined.

Tips For Good Oral Health During Pregnancy

There are plenty of things you can do to maintain good oral health during pregnancy. The North Carolina Collaborative Practice Framework and the National Consensus Statement suggests the following:

Establish a dental care provider for yourself as soon as possible during pregnancy and for your baby by their first birthday
Eliminate the use of harmful substances (alcohol, tobacco products, recreational drugs, secondhand smoke)
Use baking soda with a cup of water to neutralize stomach acid in the mouth after vomiting (prevents tooth decay)
Ensure you are brushing and flossing your teeth multiple times a day
If it is feasible, try to breastfeed your baby
Brush your baby’s first tooth with a smart of fluoridated toothpaste twice daily

The Takeaway

If you’re anything like me, the dentist isn’t your favorite healthcare provider to see. Here are some of my recommendations for the Triangle area:

Comprehensive dental treatment is not only safe during pregnancy, but it is recommended and essential. Perinatal oral health is directly linked to maternal-child oral health. The old wive’s tale of “a tooth for every baby” doesn’t have to be your reality!

References

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Dental Hygienist’s Association

Oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan. Committee Opinion No. 569. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2013;122:417-22.
Dye BA, Vargas CM, Lee JJ, Magder L,Tinanoff N. Assessing the Relationship Between Children’s Oral Health Status and That of Their Mothers. The Journal Of the American Dental Association. 2011: 142(2), 173-183.

Childbirth, PostpartumBriana SmithMarch 1, 2022pregnancy, birth doula, birth, oral health, dentist, dentist in raleigh