The

Pregnant
Patient OHE Patient
During pregnancy, patients are much
more likely to develop gingivitis, due to
hormone changes and poor oral
hygiene. We cannot change the
hormone changes; however, we can
help to improve the patient’s homecare
by giving them proper OHE.

Instruct patients to NOT brush their

teeth right after they throw up. The
enamel is more likely to break down
when acidic. Instead, encourage your
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patient to rinse their mouth out with

baking soda and water prior to
throwing up.

Encourage your patients to focus on

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brushing during this time, since they are

highly susceptible to developing
gingivitis.
 Possible Changes in
Treatment Common Oral Findings

Elective radiographs may be avoided but are

considered safe.
Women are more likely to develop
Nitrous Oxide: safe, but controversial due to gingivitis during pregnancy.
chronic exposure

Local Anesthetics are safe, but you should Gingivitis left untreated can lead
know the pregnancy classes:
to further destruction of tissue
Patient Timing/  Articaine: C supporting the tooth.
Positioning
 Bupivicaine: B
The 1 trimester for pregnant women
st
 Lidocaine: B Sometimes lumps appear along
is a time where most emergencies the gum line and between teeth
 Mepivicaine: C
would occur. Therefore, can be very
that look like red, raw mulberries
dangerous. The 3rd trimester is the  Prilocaine: B
most uncomfortable time of the
called “Pregnancy Tumors.”
Do not take NSAIDS!
pregnancy. Therefore, the 2nd
Tylenol = ideal pain med for pregnant
trimester is the most ideal for patient
patients.
treatment.
Just because the 3rd trimester is
uncomfortable does not mean we
shouldn’t see them during this time.
However, we must do our best to
make our patients as comfortable as
possible. If we position the patient
with the right hip elevated 15 degrees
for maximum comfort