What reasons would you give a pregnant mother for stopping smoking?
Pregnant women are generally very receptive to information and keen to do their best for their health and their babies. However, some pregnant mothers are not regular dental attenders and may only come during their pregnancy for the sake of their children. We, as oral health educators need to help patients develop an effective oral health routine and habits, to which they can continue as their families grow.
photo credits : Go with the FloIn pregnant and nursing mothers, an increased risk of caries and tooth erosion can result from morning sickness.Susceptibility to caries increases during pregnancy due to cravings (often sweet foods), frequent snacking and larger appetite (as they are eating for two), and nausea or disliking the taste of toothpaste which could lead to less frequent toothbrushing.
Also, there will be an increased risk of gingival problems in pregnant patents due to pregnancy gingivitis as there is an exaggerated response to dental plaque due to increased hormonal activity. Pregnant women may complain of bleeding on brushing, spontaneous bleeding and halitosis. We, as dental professionals should look for certain signs of pregnancy gingivitis :
1. Increased tendency for gums to bleed on gentle probing
2. Gingiva - blue-red, shiny, swollen and smooth (due to increased vascular activity)
3. Pregnancy epulis (localised area of swollen interdental papilla)
Periondontal disease during pregnancy can lead to pre-term labour, premature birth and low birth weight. Growth of the baby can be impaired if the immune system is also dealing with periondontal infection.
Smoking during pregnancy will compromise the oxygen carrying capacity of haemoglobin (due to carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke) and also contibutes to stickier plaque formation and dries the mouth. Therefore, pregant women are advised to quit smoking. Not only that, smoking during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature membrane rupture and foetal growth restriction. Emphasize that once the baby is born, a smoke-free environment should be provided whenever possible.
Reference : Basic Guide to Oral Health Education and Promotion by Ann Felton, Alison Chapman and Simon Felton
it's a very helpful article, In my opinion, every mom wanna-be should understand that being pregnant is a miracle, so they will take care their body with a great love and understanding.
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ReplyDeleteit is interesting how such seemingly harmles problem like caries can have such farreaching consequences on health. thanks for the article
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