Resources for Drug Safety During Pregnancy

Two thirds of women take prescription medications during pregnancy or breast feeding.  This still causes anxiety and misunderstanding regarding whether the medications may harm the fetus or cause a birth defect.

Therefore, there are key medication considerations for: analgesics and anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, local anesthetics, sedatives and emergency medications.

An excellent online resource regarding drug safety during pregnancy is Breast feeding online.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.
Diplomat, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275
5060 California Ave., #170
Bakersfield, CA 93309
www.drtupac.com

Pregnancy Vitamin D Levels Important for Infant Teeth

The journal Pediatrics reported a study from the University of Manitoba that followed 133 mothers and their 135 infants in the first year of life.  The researchers measured the mothers' serum vitamin D levels during pregnancy and compared them with dental decay rates in their infants.  Of the women, 33 had deficient vitamin D levels.  Their infants had a 22% rate of enamel hypoplasia and a 23% rate of early childhood dental decay.  Mothers of children with early childhood decay had significantly lower prenatal vitamin D concentrations.  The researchers theorized that prenatal vitamin D levels may have an influence on the development of healthy primary teeth in their infants.

Source:  JADA, vol. 145, no. 6, 526

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309