Pregnancy rites of passage can include pregnancy portraits, baby showers or blessing ways, and many prenatal doctor visits. But visiting the dentist? Yes. Prenatal dental care plays a vitally important role in a healthy pregnancy and healthy start for an infant.
Good oral health is important for everyone throughout life. It supports good nutrition, good speech development, a healthy heart, and even good confidence.
The benefits are even more important for the pregnant parent.
Pregnancy can lead to increased risks for cavities and other oral health challenges. Morning sickness can promote erosion of tooth enamel due to exposure to stomach acid, which can lead to developing cavities. Sweet foods and drinks craved and eaten during pregnancy can increase the risk of cavities.
A new parent may miss regular teeth brushing at home due to fatigue or distraction or will prioritize baby’s doctor and dental visits over their own routine care.
The hormonal changes caused by pregnancy make the gums of the pregnant parent more prone to gingivitis (gum disease). If gingivitis progresses, it can turn into periodontitis (very advanced gum disease), which left untreated can ultimately lead to tooth loss and bone loss in the jaw. Both conditions are also associated with elevated levels of cavity-causing oral bacteria (streptococcus mutans), which has been associated with pre-term labor and low birthweight outcomes.
Additionally, when the pregnant parent carries a higher oral bacterial load, they are more likely to transfer cavity causing bacteria to their baby through regular parenting behaviors, such as kissing, sharing spoons, and licking pacifiers clean. A decision to keep the mouth of the pregnant parent healthy and treat cavities is also a decision to help protect the baby from future cavities.
Oral health is such an important part of a person’s health during pregnancy that it is integrated into two of our County’s Public Health nurse home visiting programs: Nurse Family Partnership and Trauma Informed Approach-Field Nursing. Each of these important programs connects a Medi-Cal eligible pregnant person with their own personal Public Health nurse (who are all Bachelor of Science prepared nurses with an added certification in Public Health). Qualified Public Health nurses support pregnant individuals and/ or parenting families with children 0-5 years of age.
Oral health education is part of the client’s initial assessment when enrolled in the program and throughout their perinatal care. Public Health nurses have established close relationships with our local dental clinics, making it easier to schedule dental appointments throughout their pregnancy and post-partum period.
Fortunately, Santa Cruz County is home to Dientes Community Dental Care and Salud Para La Gente, each offering priority appointments for pregnant people with Medi-Cal insurance to support them during this important and time-sensitive life stage.
If you have Medi-Cal, you have dental coverage for exams, cleanings, fillings, and more. If you have private dental insurance, check for covered dental services. No dental insurance? Ask your local dental office for discounted rates or sliding-scale payment options. You do not need a referral from your obstetrician to see a dentist, but some dentists may still ask for one.
Here are some easy ways to maintain and support good oral health before, during, and after pregnancy:
Go to the dentist! Getting dental x-rays is safe during any trimester.
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day for 2 minutes and floss daily.
Visit your dentist 2 times a year for dental cleanings – especially if you are pregnant. Care, Don’t Share: Have separate eating utensils for you and baby and use a clean cloth to wipe off the pacifier.
Take your baby to the dentist for their 1st Tooth or 1st Birthday appointment.
For dental providers who accept Medi-Cal Insurance, visit smilecalifornia.org or call at 1-800-322-6384. For local low-cost dental clinics that accept Medi-Cal Dental and have a sliding-scale call Dientes at 831.464.5409/ (dientes.org) or Salud Para La Gente at 831.728.0222/ (splg.org). If you have private health insurance, ask your carrier if you have dental benefits or how to get them.
If you are interested in learning more about Nurse Family Partnership or Trauma-Informed Approach Field Nursing, please call 831.454.4339 or visit santacruzhealth.org.
For the latest updates from Santa Cruz County Public Health, follow us on social media.Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @PublicHealthSCC
Dr. Sepideh Taghvaei is the Vp Of Operations At Dientes And Primavera Hernandez, Mph, Health Services Manager, Children and Family Health, Santa Cruz County Public Health.
