Oral Care in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
In this period oral care should become more regular, not less.
Why pregnancy gingivitis happens
Rising oestrogen and progesterone increase the permeability of gum blood vessels and amplify the inflammatory response, so the same amount of plaque produces far more redness, swelling and bleeding than before. It usually becomes noticeable in the second trimester, and some develop a localised, easily bleeding overgrowth that generally regresses after birth. Crucially the hormones set the stage but plaque still triggers it, so cleaning matters more, not less.
Nausea, stomach acid and enamel
Morning sickness brings stomach acid into contact with the teeth, dissolving enamel especially on the palatal surfaces of the upper front teeth, with cumulative effect. The commonest mistake is brushing immediately afterwards, while the softened enamel is most vulnerable. Rinse with water, or water with a little bicarbonate, and wait about half an hour for saliva to neutralise the acid and let the enamel reharden.
What can be done through this period
- Arranging a gum assessment once pregnancy is known
- Brushing twice daily with a soft brush and fluoride paste
- Not letting interdental cleaning slip in this period
- Rinsing and waiting before brushing after vomiting
- Choosing sugar-free options if frequent snacking is needed
- Increasing rather than reducing care when bleeding rises
- Preferring the second trimester for routine procedures
Getting Here, Booking and Emergencies from Deniz
Route, booking and emergency arrangements for patients from Deniz.
Getting here from Deniz
Deniz lies in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya; Muratpaşa is one of the central districts, about 2 kilometres from the clinic. We also see patients from neighbouring areas that share the route from Deniz, such as Güzeloluk, Kızıltoprak, Sedir, Topçular. You can ask for the location on WhatsApp when travelling from Deniz.
Appointments for Deniz
At this distance, splitting treatment into visits is no problem for patients from Deniz, and attending reviews is easy too. As with patients from Muratpasa generally, appointments for families from Deniz can be scheduled consecutively.
Emergencies from Deniz
Setting out from Deniz at night is quick; come without delay in an emergency, and calling as you leave means preparation is done in advance. For patients coming from Dental Clinic in Deniz, the clinic is open 24/7 and in an emergency the order is set by severity rather than arrival time. For spreading facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or toothache with fever, go to the nearest emergency department.
How Tooth Whitening Actually Works
Whitening does not scrape the surface of the tooth; the gel penetrates the enamel and dentine and breaks down the molecules that carry the colour. That distinction explains both the limits of the result and the cause of sensitivity.
Where the colour actually is
A tooth's colour is set largely by the dentine beneath rather than the enamel; enamel is translucent and shows the yellower tissue behind it. With age the enamel thins and the dentine thickens, which is why teeth yellow over time. Because whitening gel reaches that inner layer, it differs from a surface polish and gives a lasting result.
Why sensitivity occurs
As the gel passes through the microscopic tubules in dentine it temporarily stimulates the nerve endings. This is not damage and it settles within 24 to 48 hours after treatment. What reduces it:
- Starting a desensitising toothpaste a week beforehand
- Planning shorter sessions with intervals between them
- Applying fluoride varnish
- Avoiding very cold and very hot drinks for a few days
The white diet: the first 48 hours
Permeability of the enamel is temporarily increased after treatment, and coloured food stains faster during that time. Coffee, tea, red wine, dark juices, tomato sauce, beetroot and smoking should be left aside for the first two days. That short discipline has a marked effect on how long the result lasts.
