Overview of Dental and Oral Health Research Assignment

Pregnancy and Oral Health
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Pregnancy and Oral Health
Overview of Dental and Oral Health
Oral health is critical for all pregnant women. During pregnancy, physiological changes occur generally and as such this is a time of vulnerability in oral health. This is a crucial moment that requires pregnant women and their providers, to have adequate knowledge regarding the numerous changes that are bound to affect them in the oral cavity in their time of pregnancy (Hartnett et al, 2016). The key to overall well-being, therefore, depends on oral health. There ought to be preventive, restorative and diagnostic treatment during the entire time of pregnancy, which will help in the improvement and maintenance of oral health. The health professionals have failed in their task to advice and offer this crucial service to pregnant mothers. On the other side, the pregnant women to have failed to ask for this service because they do not know about it or they simply ignore its importance. Pregnant women should therefore be educated about how to prevent and treat oral disease for the sake of their future and the future of their children. Mothers often pass on caries to their young ones (Oral Health Care During Pregnancy Expert Workgroup, 2012).
Causes and Treatment/Cure
As earlier stated, pregnant women experience numerous changes, which require close attention. Some of those changes are: a change in blood chemistry, which in essence increases the blood cells in the body. The same blood chemistry is responsible for an increase in the clotting factors, fibrinolytic activity and a decrease in anemia and iron. The second change is witnessed in the cardiovascular system, leading to an increase in the heart rate cardiac output. There is also a risk of increased stroke levels. Thirdly, the respiratory system is also affected during pregnancy. This condition leads to high possibility of dyspnea and apnea notwithstanding displaced diaphragm superiority, hyperventilation and a decrease in the reserve capacity that is supposed to be functional. The fourth condition is when the gastrointestinal system is affected which leads to nausea and vomiting, and increased acidity and heart burn. Finally, the general changes which include a general alteration of behavior an increase in the nutritional demands. All these five conditions should be attended with the care they deserve because they are responsible for pregnancy and dental health conditions (Naseem et al, 2016).
Some of the common dental problems during pregnancy are: Gingivitis, pyogenic granuloma, saliva changes, tooth morbidity, melasma and gingival hyperplasia. Gingivitis is the bleeding of the tender gums and happens to be the most common dental disease in most pregnant women. Pregnancy results in reduced immune response, fluctuations in estrogens, altered normal oral flora, and reduced progesterone. It can be contained by brushing of teeth with toothpaste that is fluoridated, saline and flossing mouth rinsing. Tooth morbidity is caused whenever there is a hormonal rush mineral changes in lamina dura and if there is interruption in periodontal attachment of ligaments. This in the end causes periodontal diseases. Vitamin C can reverse the condition when administered in therapeutic doses. Most doctors use antibiotics that fall into category B of FDA classification. In the first trimester, pregnant women are not advised to use Metronidazole because of its teratogenic effects. The use of local and general anesthetics can be used if proper dosage is properly administered. Examples of these anesthetics are prilocaine and lidocaine, which are classified in Class B. Finally, for the pregnant women, analgesics can be used for a short span. One such medication is acetaminophen since it is classified in class B, making it the safest and it also common (Naseem et al, 2016).
Oral Manifestations
Gingivitis being a common condition in pregnant women exhibits the following symptoms: red and bluish coloring of the gums, causes swelling of the gums, which is usually painless but in advanced cases, it becomes painful, bleeding when brushing teeth or eating, and an increase the probing depths and pocket formation (Lamia & Daou, 2016).
Special Oral Hygiene Needs
All pregnant women should get oral health care to avoid the devastating effects from conditions that come with laxity in oral health care such as gingivitis. They are therefore advised to get health treatment as per the recommendations of their health professionals before they are due for delivery. Secondly, they are advised to practice good oral hygiene by brushing their teeth every day. They should n...