16 Where There Is No Dentist 2012
“The usual reasons?” asked Bertine.
“Yes,” said Lucie. “How often do you eat now that you are
pregnant?” “Well, a lot more than I used to—I have two persons to
feed!” “And do you still eat sweet foods sometimes?” Lucie asked.
“I guess I do,” said Bertine, “and more sweets than before, because
I eat more often.”
“How about teeth cleaning?” asked Lucie. “Do you clean as often
as you did before you were pregnant?” “No,” Bertine admitted, “I
heard I was going to have tooth problems anyway, and I have
been so tired lately…. Oh! Do you suppose that these are the only
reasons I am having these problems? How do you know so much
about this, Lucie?”
“Because I had the same problems, Bertine. I learned the truth the
hard way. I had an infected tooth, and the infection passed to my
kidneys. At the health clinic, they told me it is not necessary to have
tooth problems during pregnancy—and it is even dangerous. I am
lucky I did not lose my baby! That can happen, you know, when a
tooth problem is not treated. We must fill your cavities right now.”
“You mean I can be treated now, before I have my baby?”
“Yes, and you should!” said Lucie. “And you
can take better care of your teeth. It is true that
because of the pregnancy, your gums are weaker,
and they can get infected. But this means you
should take even more care than usual to: (1) clean
regularly and (2) eat the right foods. You need to
have strength when you are pregnant. An infection
in your mouth does not help that. Because your
gums are weak, it is also good to (3) rinse your
mouth every day with warm salt water (see page 7),
and if you cannot get fresh fruits and vegetables,
then (4) take a tablet of Vitamin C every day.”
Lucie then offered to clean Bertine’s teeth and to fill her cavities. When
she touched Bertine’s gums, they bled, and Lucie said, “They will
bleed at first, but after you clean them regularly for a while, they will
be stronger. Bleeding gums are dangerous to a pregnant woman. The
bleeding can increase anemia, which is a serious problem.”
“If a pregnant woman’s tooth has an abscess, is it safe to pull it
before she has the baby?” asked Bertine. “Yes,” said Lucie, “you
just must be gentle. A woman gets tired sitting in a dental chair for a
long time, and sometimes you must give some extra anesthetic so
she does not feel any pain.”