Many pregnant mothers get very worried about their teeth, so here are a few hints which will help you keep your teeth healthy.
Nursing mothers
Having a new baby in the home certainly causes a commotion - frequent feeds and a whole new routine to get used to. As you are probably overtired, here is some dental advice which is very simple and won't upset the daily routine.
- Look after your gums
The gums may bleed when you brush during pregnancy. This is not unusual; during pregnancy, the gums become more sensitive to irritation and bleed more easily. The best way to cope with this problem is to make sure you clean your teeth thoroughly every day. Your dentist will advise you on this and can scale and polish your teeth, which will be a great help. - Visiting the dentist
Dental check up is good for pregnant women. Make sure you get a checkup in the early months of your pregnancy. - Can the teeth lose calcium?
No. It is impossible for calcium from your teeth to be drawn off and given to baby. Your growing baby will get calcium from your diet -just make sure you follow your doctor's advice on diet. - Snacks containing sugar Avoid sugary snacks between meals. so that you don't gain extra weight and it helps prevent decay.
| DRUGS TO BE AVOIDED IN FIRST TRIMSTER OF PREGNANCY | ADVERSE EFFECTS |
| IBUPROFEN | TO BE USED WITH CAUTION |
| THALIDOMIDE | PHOCOMELIA |
| CYTOTOXIC | MULTIPLE CONGENITAL EFFECTS |
| WARFERINS | HYPOPLASIA OF NOSE |
| BARBITURATES | POSSIBILITY OF RISK |
| SEX HORMONES | VIRILIZATION OF FEMALE FOETUS |
| ANDROGENS | FEMINIZATION OF MALE FOETUS |
| ESTROGENS | HYPOTROPIC TESTES |
| TETRACYCLINE | STAINING OF TEETH |
| METRONIDAZOLE | MALFORMATION OF FOETUS |
| COMPARITIVELY SAFER DRUGS IN PREGNANCY | ADVERSE EFFECTS |
| ANTIBIOTICS | PENICILLEN,AMPICILLEN,ERYTHROMYCIN |
| ANTIPYRETIC/ANALGESIC | PARACETAMOL,ASPIRIN(For a short period) |
| ANTITUBERCULAR | ISONIAZID,RIFAMPICIN |
| ANTIMALARIAL | CHLOROQUIN(for a short period) |
| CARDIOVASCULAR | DIGOXIN, HYDRALAZINE, ALPHA-METHYLDOPA, NIFEDIPINE, NITREDEPINE |
| MISCELLANEOUS | INSULIN,BARBITURATES,THIODNACIL(for a short period) |
Nursing mothers
Having a new baby in the home certainly causes a commotion - frequent feeds and a whole new routine to get used to. As you are probably overtired, here is some dental advice which is very simple and won't upset the daily routine.
- Feeding
If you give the baby fruit juice, always dilute it with water. Never let your baby suck, - it's a sure way to get dental decay Never put your baby to bed with a bottle containing fruitjuice or milk - Teething
Teething can cause problems and your baby can become quite irritable There are several preparation available in the market which can work as teethers . Your dentist or doctor will be able to advise you on the appropriate pain relievers and relaxants which will help your baby and you get a good night's sleep. The age at which the baby teeth come through is very variable - but the first one usually comes through at six months and, by 2.5 to 3, all 20 teeth will be in the mouth. - Toothbrushing
Let baby watch you brush. Children love copying. As soon as four front teeth are through, put a smear of toothpaste on a brush and let him/her play with the toothbrush. It is important to try and encourage the toothbrushing routine from an early age. - Look after yourself
Although you are very busy, don't neglect your own teeth. Have a check up done. 5. Fluoride Fluoride gives your child unbeatable protection against germs and cavities, so let your child use a toothpaste containing fluoride. - Baby teeth
Some of the baby teeth will last till the age of 11 and they are important in helping to make sure that the second teeth come in correct position, so make sure you help your child to look after them.
