A HEALThY SMILE
by Sheri Wallace

If you didn't visit your dentist or a periodontist before becoming pregnant, Jeffcoat says there are still steps you can take. "Although extensive dental care is not a good idea while pregnant, you may still have your teeth cleaned safely while pregnant, and by all means, an exam for periodontal disease should be done as soon as possible."

Manhattan-based dentist Dr. Stephen Wolner says that pregnant women should not be afraid to treat periodontal disease while pregnant. He has perfected a new treatment for periodontal disease using topical antiseptics, ultrasound, and antibiotics. "This is really the treatment of choice for pregnant women," he says. "It is nonsurgical, doesn't use local anesthesia, and if it is absolutely necessary to use antibiotics, I can use very localized antibiotics that are literally painted on the affected areas. There is almost no exposure to the main bloodstream."

Wolner has seen success by treating his patients very aggressively for 2-3 weeks, and then teaching them a lifelong maintenance approach, which he claims is very effective at keeping the disease at bay -- without painful surgery. He believes that the cornerstones of his approach -- electric toothbrushes, irrigation devices like the Water Pik, and using antiseptics in these devices, can be used risk-free by pregnant women, but advises that it is always best to talk to your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.