Dental care for mother and child FAQ

Is it required to visit the dentist during the pregnancy?
Yes. Due to the hormonal changes during the pregnancy, some women need more dental care during this period. For instance, you may notice that the gums bleed a lot easier than normal. The dentist will be able to answer any questions you will ask him/her.

Why do my gums bleed?
You may notice that during the pregnancy the gums get swollen and bleed. This is due to the hormonal changes taking place in your body. This means that you will have maintain a high oral hygiene standard, visiting your dentist on a regular basis. You can go to the hygienist for an in-depth cleaning and to receive advice related to the home tooth care.

Is the dental treatment safe during the pregnancy?
Yes. There should be no problems related to the routine care. However, just like in other medicine branches, the treatment in it-self had better be postponed until after giving birth. It is recommended to replace the fillings after birth.

And, what if I need X-rays (radiographies)?
As a general rule, the dentists prefer to avoid X-rays during the pregnancy, as much as possible. However, if you need a tooth root treatment, you will be required to have an X-ray taken.

Can the pregnancy damage the teeth?
The rumours according to which pregnancy causes calcium deficiencies or the ones related to losing one tooth for every child are false.

And, what if I want to breastfeed?
It is recommended that you talk about all these matters with your dentist.

And, what if I smoke and drink alcohol during the pregnancy?
Smoking and alcohol consumption during the pregnancy may lead to giving birth to an underweight baby and they may affect the dental health of the baby. An underweight baby risks having unhealthy teeth as a result of the fact that the enamel is not appropriately formed. It is well to know that the permanent teeth develop in the maxillae. Therefore, certain babies, whose mothers smoke and drink during the pregnancy, may also have badly formed permanent teeth.

When will my child’s teeth appear?
The child’s teeth will appear as of 6 months, the process going on until all the 20 milk teeth are present. Around the age of 6, the second set of teeth will emerge, the process continuing until all the permanent teeth will have appeared, less the wisdom teeth; the process is concluded around the age of 14.

Is the tooth emergence painful?
Most children suffer of these pains. The babies may have fever during this period, their cheeks being red and warm when touching. There are special gels you can use to ease the pain. They contain a weak analgesic. You can apply the gel with the finger, lightly massaging the baby’s gums.

When should I bring the baby to the dentist for the first time?
It is best to talk about this matter with your dentist, but you can bring him/her when you go for your routine check-up. This may get the child used to the surroundings. The dentist will be able to advise you, to prescribe medicine against the tooth-ache and to answer any questions. The child’s proper visits to the dentist can start as of approximately 1 and a half years of age.

Can breastfeeding affect the baby’s teeth?
If you are breastfeeding, try to do it according to a well established routine. Breastfeeding during long periods of time may lead to tooth caries as the baby’s teeth will be exposed to the natural sugars in the breast milk. For the same reason, do not allow the baby to fall asleep during the breastfeeding.

What about the bottle-feeding?
Bottle-feeding is good, but you will have to sterilise the bottle appropriately. Do not add sugar or sugary drinks in the bottle. This may lead to the baby’s teeth to decay. The baby is not born with the need for sugar, and he/she starts liking sugar only if it is offered to him/her at an early age.

What solid foods are good for my baby?
The savoury foods such as cheese, pasta, vegetables are better than sweet foods. The food which does not contain sugar is better for your baby’s teeth. Ask your physician as regards a balanced diet for the baby. If the baby drinks something between the meals, make sure to give him/her only water or milk instead of sugary drinks which may lead to tooth caries.

When should I start to clean my baby’s teeth?
Children cannot correctly brush their teeth until the age of 7; until then they need help. As soon as the teeth started to emerge, you will have to clean them. Although you may be busy with the baby, you must not forget to also take care of your teeth.

How should I clean my baby’s teeth?
As soon as the baby’s teeth started to emerge, you will have to clean them. For starters, you can use a clean piece of gauze that you can wrap around your finger and use it as a brush. As several teeth emerge, you will have to use a special brush for babies. Use a drop of fluorine toothpaste, gently massaging the teeth and gums. It will be easier for you if you hold the baby’s head in your hands, in front of you. As the baby grows-up, it will be difficult for you to use this technique, but progressively you can assign the tooth-cleaning responsibility to the child. It is important for him/her to brush his/her teeth twice a day. Talk to the dentist or to the family physician if you have problems related to the child’s tooth brushing.

And, what if the baby sucks on the thumb or needs a dummy?
If you wish, you can discourage the use of the dummy or thumb-sucking. They can lead to problems related to the teeth growth and development, which will require the use of dental devices when the child grows-up. Before putting him/her to sleep, do not dip the child’s dummy in fruit juice or in anything that might contain sugar. They may expose him/her to the action of harmful acids which can attack the newly formed teeth and cause tooth caries. Never dip the dummy in sweet food products such as honey or orange juice in order to make the baby stop crying.

What if a baby’s tooth is damaged?
If the baby’s tooth gets damaged, immediately contact your dentist.