The development of new life requires a pregnant woman's body to undertake an enormous amount of work. One of the key tasks is activating the mechanism that suppresses the immune system to prevent the rejection of the embryo, which is, in essence, a foreign entity.
However, this weakening of the immune system can negatively impact dental health, as harmful microorganisms are given more opportunity to thrive in the mouth. As a result, the risk of developing cavities in pregnant women increases significantly. It’s no wonder there’s a saying that each child "takes" a tooth from the mother.
Cavities in pregnant women are linked not only to a weakened immune system but also to a deficiency of vitamins and minerals necessary for the growth of the fetus. If the mother's diet is not well-balanced, the baby will draw these essential nutrients from the mother's body.
However, proper nutrition is a separate topic. Right now, it’s important to understand what to do if the teeth are already affected by cavities.
Dentists’ Recommendations
Dentists are unanimous in their opinion—cavities need to be treated. It is unacceptable to allow even a single tooth affected by decay to deteriorate. Such teeth can harbor dangerous microorganisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, which can infect the fetus's membranes, leading to serious postpartum complications. Additionally, these microbes release toxins that are harmful to the newborn and can cause skin conditions. Many pregnant women are unaware of this and mistakenly believe that treating cavities is unnecessary or even harmful to the baby.
However, any dentist will confirm that timely dental treatment during pregnancy benefits both the mother and the child. Doctors often refer pregnant women to a dentist for a preventive check-up. If cavities are left untreated, they can lead to more serious conditions, such as pulpitis or periodontitis, which are much worse than cavities.
Safety of Treatment
A pregnant woman should pay special attention to her oral health and visit the dentist regularly. After examining the teeth, the dentist will prescribe the necessary treatment and explain the potential risks to the mother and baby.
Modern dental clinics are equipped with safe, high-tech equipment. For instance, radiovisiographs are used for diagnostics, providing real-time X-ray images of the teeth with minimal radiation exposure. Nevertheless, lead shielding is still used to protect both the mother and the baby.
Optimal Treatment Period
Since untreated cavities can progress, treatment should not be postponed. Specialists believe that the period between the 16th and 24th weeks of pregnancy is the safest for dental procedures. At other times, the prescribed treatments may cause increased sensitivity in both the mother and the fetus.
Therefore, we recommend visiting the dentist twice a year for a preventive check-up to avoid the need for more extensive dental treatment in the future.
