Prenatal Oral Health&

Infant Oral Health

Prenatal Oral Health

Why is it so important to take care of your gums when you are pregnant?

Gum disease in pregnancy is linked to premature, low-weight babies!

Evaluation Quiz to See If You Have Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

1. Do you ever have pain in your mouth?

2. Do your gums ever bleed when you brush your teeth or when you eat hard food?

3. Have you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?

4. Do your gums ever feel swollen or tender?

5. Have you noticed that your gums are receding or your teeth appear longer than before?

6. Do you have persistent bad breath?

7. Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?

8. Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?

9. Do you ever develop sores in you mouth?

Why do you get gingivitis or gum disease?

You don’t have good:

1. Brushing Habits• Use soft bristle brush• Brush 2-3 times a day

2. Flossing Habits• Floss once a day

3. Regular 6 month dental check-ups

Brushing & Flossing

What does gum disease look like?

Healthy Teeth and Gums

Early Signs Of Gum Disease

Puffy Gums Redness Signs of Bleeding

Moderate form of Gum Disease

Puffy GumsRednessPlaque and tarter buildupBleedingSpaces between the teethTeeth looking longerBad breath

Severe gum disease

Puffy gumsRednessPlaque and Tarter BuildupBleedingSpaces between the teethTeeth look longerBad breathTeeth are mobileTeeth may have to be extracted

How at risk are you to have a premature, low-birth weight baby if you have gum

disease?

• You are 7-8 times more likely to have an underweight premature baby than pregnant women with healthy teeth and gums.

What does it mean to have a premature, low-birth weight baby?

• Premature babies can have problems with their lungs not being mature

• Babies who are on the ventilator for a long time can develop a chronic lung problem

• Premature babies are also more prone to respiratory infections and wheezing

• Premature babies are also at higher risk of developmental problems

• The immune system is weaker for preemies and they may tend to get sick more often.

• Premature babies are at risk for cerebral palsy

The earlier the baby is born the greater the chance of developing problems

It cost the country $5.7 billion dollars last year for care of preemies.

Periodontal disease could be one of the most important risk factors that can be identified for premature, low birth weight babies.

How Does Gum Disease Relate To Pregnancy?

Plaque bacteriacauses

Bleeding gums

Plaque bacteria around the gums gets into the bloodstream

To the fetus

travels

Starting labor

Other possible causes of gum disease

• Plaque• Smoking• Genetics• Pregnancy and puberty• Stress• Medications• Clenching and grinding

your teeth• Diabetes• Other systemic diseases• Poor nutrition

True or False

A baby can take calcium out of a pregnant mother’s teeth?

False

That is an old wives tale!

A baby can take calcium from a pregnant mothers bones but not out of her teeth.

INFANT ORAL HEALTH

What is the most common childhood disease?

Dental decay or cavities

• Cavities are 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than allergies in children.

What is the difference between a cavity and a filling?

Cavity Filling

If mom or dad have a cavity in their mouth, can they pass the cavity to their baby?

Yes

If mom or dad (grandma or grandpa) have cavities in their mouths, they can share that bacteria that causes cavities with the baby by....

1. Tasting the baby’s food before putting it in the baby’s mouth

2. Baby puts it’s fingers in mom’s mouth and then in it’s own mouth3. Kissing baby on the mouth4. Sharing baby’s cup or spoon5. Sharing a toothbrush6. Storing baby’s toothbrush where it touches other

family member’s toothbrushes

This is why mom and dad should be seen by their dentist before the baby is born in order to lower the amount of cavity producing bacteria in their mouths. This will lower the chance of your baby getting cavities from you.

Are bottle-fed or breast fed babies more likely to get cavities?

Both bottle-fed and breast-fed babies are at risk for cavities with long nighttime/naptime feedings. Milk sits on the teeth and can cause a cavity.

The teeth will develop white spots first!

Then when the cavity has broken through the enamel you will see brown spots!

How can you prevent your baby from getting cavities from bottle-feeding or

breast-feeding?

• Wipe their gums or teeth with a soft cloth after feeding.

• If they have teeth gently lift the lip and brush the teeth after the feeding.

• Never, ever put the baby to bed with a bottle containing a liquid other than……

water!

When should your baby have it’s first dental checkup?

When the baby’s first tooth comes in!

1. Your pediatrician should evaluate your baby’s teeth at well baby check-up’s.

2. Your pediatrician should refer you to a dentist if he sees any problems.

3. Take your baby with you when you go to the dentist for your 6 month check-ups. He can evaluate your baby’s teeth quickly and assess any problems.

As a parent I shouldn’t worry about baby teeth, they fall out anyway!

FALSE!

Baby teeth are in a child’s mouth until the age of 12-13.

Losing baby teeth early can lead to:

1. Drifting2. Malocclusion3. Difficulty with speech4. Difficulty with chewing food5. Poor self-esteem

Thank you!