During pregnancy, dental health of the pregnant woman is of crucial importance because good chewing up of food is an important condition for full absorption of nutrients.

There are different myths about dental health during pregnancy. The most famous of them is that calcium is derived from the enamel of the teeth of the pregnant woman in foetus's favour and that is why the teeth of the future mother become damaged. This myth is without the slightest grounds. The enamel of the teeth is not involved in the metabolism of calcium in the body because there are no blood vessels in it.

Gum inflammation is really getting worse during pregnancy and 95% of the population is afflicted with gum inflammation. This is due to progesterone and the increased level of oral acidity. The combination of inflamed, bleeding and sensitive gums, tartar, inappropriate oral hygiene and last but not least the lack of information provide the grounds for a myth that pregnancy damages the teeth.

Dental treatment comes with different worries during pregnancy – that the X-ray images, local anaesthesia, medications, stress from the treatment harm the foetus. Here are some tips and recommendations, which will answer your questions and will be useful during normal pregnancy:

• Early consultation with a dentist – it's recommended for patients to go to the dentist the moment they find out they are pregnant to get instructions for maintaining dental health during pregnancy and a possible treatment plan. We recommend limiting treatment during the first three months of the pregnancy within preventive treatment and emergencies (acute inflammatory processes, deep caries and various trauma, acute pain, purulent processes, tumours and biopsy). Compulsory (chronic inflammation, caries, gum diseases) and emergency treatment should be conducted during the second and third quarter of the year. It is recommended to avoid elective treatment throughout the pregnancy (optional treatment) – different kinds of obturation (fillings), dentures, dental implant placement, gum surgery, dental crown placement etc.;
• Mouth rinsing with water several times a day to reduce the effect of the increased level of mouth acid;
• Removal of tartar every 2-3 months;
• Increased oral hygiene consistent with the individual characteristics of the pregnant patient;
• Local anaesthesia application does not harm the foetus's health;
• X-ray imaging – if possible, please avoid making X-ray images during the first three months of the pregnancy. If they are necessary for diagnosis and applying treatment, all precautions must be taken;
• Fluoride preventive treatment is not recommended;
• Drug therapy – discuss it with your doctor;
• Treatment that can be postponed and applied after the pregnancy.