GIVING DENTAL TREATMENT TO A PREGNANT WOMAN
As we see from the story of Bertine and Lucie, it is possible-and good -to treat a pregnant woman's dental problems before she has her baby.
In two situations, it is sometimes better to wait for the baby:
(1) Sometimes the woman's gums become swollen and the swelling does not go down even after cleaning with a soft brush and rinsing with salt water.
These swellings must be cut away. She should have this small operation after the baby is born.
(2) During the last month of pregnancy, a woman may be too uncomfortable to have her tooth taken out. Control the infection with a 5-day course of penicillin (p. 88), and take out the tooth after the baby is born. It is also better to wait if the woman has high blood pressure, because she may bleed too much when you take out the tooth.
Train midwives to examine women's mouths. When they send them to you for dental care, they can give you any information you need.
Caring for a pregnant woman-a guide for dental workers
1. Ask her how many months she has been pregnant, and find out if she has high blood pressure. Any person with blood pressure over 150/100 may bleed excessively after an extraction. To get this information, encourage all women to use the Mother and Child clinics.
2. Do not take X-rays of teeth unless absolutely necessary. X-rays are dangerous to the unborn baby inside. Before an X-ray, always cover the mother's midsection with an apron lined with lead.
3. Always give a careful and complete mouth examination. Tell her what treatment she needs and how to prevent tooth problems.
4. Be gentle. Show the woman that you care, that you want her to be comfortable, and that you can treat her without hurting her.
