Pregnancy is a time of joyous expectancy, when every mother-to-be looks forward to the arrival of the new baby. Physically and mentally, it also brings many changes in the pregnant woman. For, as her unborn child develops in her womb, and her body swells, it is also accompanied by what we call ‘morning sickness’ or vomiting (nausea) usually experienced in the morning hours of the day, and sometimes lasting for even a longer time.
During these periods of morning sickness, which occur usually during the first three months of pregnancy, when the hormonal changes slow down the stomach’s ability to empty itself of food, while affecting the sense of smell and appetite, the mother to be usually experiences a strong distaste for food. Even her favourite food becomes an object of distaste. On the other hand, when she gets over this distaste for food, she often develops a craving for certain types of foods, which could be sweet-based foods like cakes, chocolates, puddings, or sour foods like billing, raw mangoes, raw amberella, veralu, or spicy foods like pickles, chutneys, etc.
During these periods of morning sickness, which occur usually during the first three months of pregnancy, when the hormonal changes slow down the stomach’s ability to empty itself of food, while affecting the sense of smell and appetite, the mother to be usually experiences a strong distaste for food. Even her favourite food becomes an object of distaste. On the other hand, when she gets over this distaste for food, she often develops a craving for certain types of foods, which could be sweet-based foods like cakes, chocolates, puddings, or sour foods like billing, raw mangoes, raw amberella, veralu, or spicy foods like pickles, chutneys, etc.
Not only food but anything she puts into her mouth during these first three months of pregnancy could be an ordeal for the pregnant woman suffering morning sickness. Thus even brushing her teeth with toothpaste could pose a problem eve to the most fastidious of pregnant women, as it may cause her to throw up. What happens then is a quick swipe of the teeth with a brush with or without toothpaste, followed by an equally quick rinsing of the mouth.
The result of this poor oral care is that many oral diseases are inevitable, dental surgeons point out e.g. caries, followed by cavities and periodontal diseases or gum diseases.
Globally, tooth decay in pregnant mothers is on the rise. Health authorities across the world are worried about its impacts not just on the mother but her unborn as well as newly born child. Recent studies in the US where oral diseases in new and pregnant women has reached disturbing levels, shows that cross transmission of bacteria from the mother to child does in deed have adverse effects on her child.
To quote a few of them: “Most expectant mothers have not thought about the impact of oral health on their own general health and that of their baby. Oral disease such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis are infectious diseases that can have long term con sequences for the mother and her offspring. These diseases are inter-related and all result from the effects of the dental bio film matrix on the oral cavity”, a US paediatric study said.
“Maternal oral flora is transmitted to the new born, which predisposes the infant to caries later in life”, states the first Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in the US in 2000. The report adds that periodontal treatment can improve maternal and infant health in general. Yet another US study has found that one in ten babies born in the US is considered preterm and/or low birth weight (PLBW). In 2007 a study said that ‘pregnant women with periodontal disease have seven times more risk of delivering pre term or low weight babies. Prevention of periodontal disease is thus based on sound personal oral hygiene throughout life.
What about the oral status of our own pregnant women in Sri Lanka?
Recent studies reveal that in this country too, there is an unacceptably high incidence of oral diseases among pregnant women. Studies by the Health Ministry from 2007, conducted in certain districts, for example, showed that a high of over 90 percent of pregnant women had both caries and periodontal diseases. Since these diseases, as mentioned earlier, can have adverse impacts on the infant, the Health Ministry has now launched a series of interventions to help both the mother and the infant.
The Nation spoke to Dr Mrs R. Kanthi, Consultant Dental Surgeon, Health Education Bureau, to find out what these interventions were, and why they were necessary in the first place.
The result of this poor oral care is that many oral diseases are inevitable, dental surgeons point out e.g. caries, followed by cavities and periodontal diseases or gum diseases.
Globally, tooth decay in pregnant mothers is on the rise. Health authorities across the world are worried about its impacts not just on the mother but her unborn as well as newly born child. Recent studies in the US where oral diseases in new and pregnant women has reached disturbing levels, shows that cross transmission of bacteria from the mother to child does in deed have adverse effects on her child.
To quote a few of them: “Most expectant mothers have not thought about the impact of oral health on their own general health and that of their baby. Oral disease such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis are infectious diseases that can have long term con sequences for the mother and her offspring. These diseases are inter-related and all result from the effects of the dental bio film matrix on the oral cavity”, a US paediatric study said.
“Maternal oral flora is transmitted to the new born, which predisposes the infant to caries later in life”, states the first Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in the US in 2000. The report adds that periodontal treatment can improve maternal and infant health in general. Yet another US study has found that one in ten babies born in the US is considered preterm and/or low birth weight (PLBW). In 2007 a study said that ‘pregnant women with periodontal disease have seven times more risk of delivering pre term or low weight babies. Prevention of periodontal disease is thus based on sound personal oral hygiene throughout life.
What about the oral status of our own pregnant women in Sri Lanka?
Recent studies reveal that in this country too, there is an unacceptably high incidence of oral diseases among pregnant women. Studies by the Health Ministry from 2007, conducted in certain districts, for example, showed that a high of over 90 percent of pregnant women had both caries and periodontal diseases. Since these diseases, as mentioned earlier, can have adverse impacts on the infant, the Health Ministry has now launched a series of interventions to help both the mother and the infant.
The Nation spoke to Dr Mrs R. Kanthi, Consultant Dental Surgeon, Health Education Bureau, to find out what these interventions were, and why they were necessary in the first place.
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