1. Management of Pregnant Patients
Bunyi, Bien Racquel Cathleen
Torres, Kathleen
DMD3-A

2. First trimester (conception to 14th week)
 most critical and rapid cell division and active organogenesis occur
between the second and the eighth week of post-conception
 greater risk of susceptibility to stress and teratogens
 educate the patient about maternal oral changes
during pregnancy
 emphasize strict oral hygiene instructions
 limit dental treatment to periodontal prophylaxis and
emergency treatment
 avoid routine radiographs
Recommendation

3. Second trimester (14th to 28th week)
 safest period for providing dental care during
pregnancy
 organogenesis is completed
 oral hygiene, instruction, and plaque control
 scaling, polishing, and curettage may be performed if
necessary
 control of active oral diseases, if any
 elective dental care is safe
 avoid routine radiographs
Recommendation

4. Third trimester (29th week until childbirth)
 although there is no risk to the fetus during this trimester, the
pregnant mother may experience an increasing level of discomfort
 it is safe to perform routine dental treatment in the early part of the
third trimester, but from the middle of the third trimester routine
dental treatment should be avoided
 oral hygiene, instruction, and plaque control
 scaling, polishing
 curettage may be performed if
 use routine radiographs selectively and when needed
 short dental appointments with appropriate positioning to prevent
supine hypotension
Recommendation

5. Radiography
Procedure in making radiographs safer for pregnant
patients
 make only the film absolutely essential for diagnosing
the conditions (i.e. root canal therapy, trauma)
 use lead apron shielding
 use long cone
 use proper collimation & shielding
 limited to affected tooth
 care should be used while taking
essential films to eliminate the need for repeated
exposure

6. Causes of dental health problems
 gum problems
 vomiting
 cravings for sugary foods
 retching while brushing teeth

7. Gum Problem
 during pregnancy, the gum problems that occur are not
due to increased plaque, but a worse response to plaque
as a result of increased hormone levels
 switch to a softer toothbrush
 brush your teeth regularly, at least twice every day
 use toothpaste that contains
fluoride to help strengthen
your teeth against decay
Recommendation

8. Vomiting can damage teeth
 gastric reflux (regurgitating food or drink) or the
vomiting associated with morning sickness can coat
your teeth with strong stomach acids
 repeated reflux and vomiting can damage tooth
enamel and increase the risk of decay

9. Recommendation
 don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting
 rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water
 follow up with a fluoridated mouthwash
 if you don’t have a fluoridated mouthwash, put a dab
of fluoridated toothpaste on your finger and smear it
over your teeth

10. Food cravings while pregnant
 a regular desire for sugary snacks may increase
your risk of tooth decay
 try to snack on low-sugar foods instead
 rinse your mouth with water or milk,
or brush your teeth after having
sugary snacks
Recommendation

11. Retching while brushing
 some pregnant women find that brushing their teeth,
particularly the molars, provokes retching
 use a brush with a small head, such as a brush made for
toddlers
 slow down your brushing action
 It may help to close your eyes and concentrate on your
breathing.
 try other distractions, such as listening to music
 if the taste of the toothpaste seems to provoke your gag
reflex, switch to another brand
Recommendation

12. Medication