General Population
If pre-existing gingivitis, females who are menstruating have increased inflammation and crevicular fluid exudate.
Women on contraceptives have an exaggerated inflammatory response with HIGH dose contraceptives. Additionally, long term use may affect attachment levels.
Pregnancy
The American Dental Association and the American Congress (formerly “College”) of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agree that emergency treatments, such as extractions, root canals or restorations can be safely performed during pregnancy and that delaying treatment may result in more complex problems.
Local anesthetics with epinephrine (e.g., bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine) may be used during pregnancy.
Nitrous oxide is classified as a pregnancy risk group Category C medication, meaning that there is a risk of fetal harm if administered during pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women, both patients and staff, avoid exposure to nitrous oxide.
Preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental treatment is safe throughout pregnancy.
A 2012 systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that scaling & root planing has a statistically significant effect in reducing the risk of preterm birth in groups which are already at high risk of preterm birth.
An overview of 23 systematic reviews conducted through 2016 concluded that associations exist between periodontitis and pre-term birth, low birthweight babies, low birthweight babies born prematurely and the development of pre-eclampsia.
Erosion stemming from vomiting as a result of morning sickness may be detected. Patients should be encouraged to avoid tooth brushing immediately after vomiting, which exposes the teeth to stomach acids. Instead, they should opt for rinsing with a diluted solution of 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize the acid. If vomiting persist for a long period of time, please let us know, and an in-office Fluoride treatment may be recommended to protect enamel.
Menopause
Menopause is a huge change in a woman’s life and a woman’s mouth, including altered taste, burning sensations in your mouth and increased sensitivity. Please let us know if you have any of these symptoms and we may have recommendations to treat them based on your specific need.
There are two critical changes to be aware of: dry mouth and bone loss. Saliva cleanses the teeth and rinses cavity-causing bacteria off your teeth. When you have dry mouth, your saliva flow decreases and you’re more at risk for cavities.
Losing bone in your jaw can lead to tooth loss. The decreased estrogen that occurs with menopause also puts you at risk for a loss of bone density.
Our office is always staying current with research and solutions to meet your needs, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms please let us know and we will try our best to decrease the long term effects on your teeth. We may recommend an in-office fluoride treatment, more frequent recares, or a product that can help with dry mouth or burning sensation. You can call us at 203-746-1200 or make an appointment here.