Dentists often hear their pregnant patients saying

In pregnancy there is increase in cardiac output and gradual increase in mean blood pressure which reaches its peak by early part of second trimester and returns to normal level on completion of the term.RESPIRATORY CHANGES - Include increased metabolic rate with an increase in maternal oxygen uptake by 20 percent.HEMATOLOGICALY - There is an increase in blood volume up to 40 percent by the end of pregnancy. Iron deficiency anaemia is also a common feature in pregnancy.Increase in Glomerular filtration rate is common in pregnancy.Decreased gastric motility is a common feature during pregnancy.These physiological changes result in alteration in drug absorption, metabolism and excretion.

Tell your dentist which trimester you are in as he can plan for the treatment accordingly, dental treatments in first and second half of third trimester should be avoided.Morning appointments should be avoided in first trimester due to vomiting.Tell your dentist about the medications you are taking. Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin and clindamycin are used with no apparent toxic manifestations while streptomycin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole are associated with foetal defects when used during pregnancy. Yellow or brown discoloration of teeth can be caused by tetracycline during the formative phases of tooth development.

Avoid dental X-rays during pregnancy. If X-rays are essential (such as in a dental emergency), your dentist will use extreme caution to safeguard you and your baby. Advances in dentistry have made X-rays much safer today than in past decades.Due to hormonal changes in pregnancy there is increased risk of gum diseases. Get your teeth professionally cleaned during your second and early third trimester.

Dentists often hear their pregnant patients saying, "For every child she bears, a woman loses a tooth." This indeed is a myth, this old saying might have borne some truth someYears ago, but today women are better educated about their teeth and dentists understand more about her altered physiological and psychological state, neglect in oral hygiene or postural position during treatment. Teeth related problems could result in compromised nutritional status to the fetus and therefore needs immediate attention.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY:

Pregnancy results in several physiological changes. Changes occur in the endocrine, dental products cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary and the gastrointestinal systems.First trimester is very critical. During this period serious complications and abortion can occur.ENDOCRINAL CHANGES - During pregnancy placenta secretes three major hormones; namely estrogen, progesterone and chronic gonadotrophin. These hormones ensure viability of placenta and the fetus.