Surely you must have heard the proverb “for every child a tooth,” which implies that a mother can anticipate losing a tooth with every pregnancy she has. It was once assumed that the mother was barely (or not at all) exposed to the immunologically foreign cells of her unborn baby. It was believed that the maternal and fetal circulatory systems were entirely separate, making the uterus an immunologically protected environment. Today we know that these notions were inaccurate, and it is now understood that maternal and fetal cells often do mingle, especially at the ‘maternal-fetal interface’.
So what changes during pregnancy?
Feeding and supporting the developing fetus means that substantial changes do occur, and impact practically all the organs in the body. Microbes that enter the tissues surrounding the teeth, such as the gums and bones, can lead to periodontitis, an inflammatory disorder. What does this look like? Painful, red, and swollen gums are only a few of the early disease’s symptoms. In severe cases, the tissues surrounding the teeth can become loose and the gums can separate from the teeth, potentially leading to the teeth falling out. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva with an undisturbed underlying tissue-tooth attachment), when ignored, typically but not always, leads to periodontitis (this includes progressive attachment loss and bone destruction).
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Oral Health During Pregnancy – Here’s What All Expectant Moms Should Know