Kochi :
Dental problems during pregnancy can affect both the mother and child. Often, mothers-to-be suffer in silence or carry on with alternative medicine during pregnancy.
But dentists say that this could lead to further damage and, invariably, mothers would have to pay the price as they may end up with a long series of visits to the dentist.
To address this issue, the Kochi chapter of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Cochin Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (COGS) have decided to put in place a preventive mechanism to ensure dental health, much before the first trimester of pregnancy.
“We’ve held a series of discussions with COGS. Sometimes, gynaecologists do not allow pregnant women to take antibiotics recommended by us. This complicates the dental problem,” said Dr Balu Soman, secretary, IDA.
Ideally, women planning pregnancies should check their dental health to ensure they don’t have issues during pregnancy and the lactating period, when they undergo major hormonal changes.
“We find cases of bleeding gums, teeth infection, swelling of gums, etc. These have to be managed and should not be allowed to become infectious. Not all antibiotics can be taken when a woman is carrying,” said Dr Gracy Thomas, president, COGS.
Since COGS organizes women health awareness programmes and pre-marital classes for college girls, the society is planning to include this topic also in these programmes.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed so that all dentists and gynecologists can work together. “We will formally launching the programme in April-May. Brochures, pamphlets and other information kits will be distributed in hospitals so that patients can take necessary precaution,” said Dr Soman.
It’s all in the gums
* Gum problems are common during pregnancies and they may bleed while brushing or flossing teeth
* The build-up of plaque makes gums more prone to bleeding
* Acidity of stomach can corrode teeth, and brushing makes the problem worse
* Usually, gum inflammation appears between the second and eighth month of pregnancy
* Signs of pregnancy gingivitis range from redder looking gums that bleed a little while brushing teeth to severe swelling and bleeding of gum tissue
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kochi / TNN / April 02nd, 2015