Postpartum

Postnatal care coverage in the study sample was 80%, higher than facility delivery coverage. Postpartum nutrient depletion is presented as important for oral health management. After delivery, elevated pregnancy hormones drop sharply, and breastfeeding keeps estrogen suppressed. Postnatal care visits create opportunities for health workers to counsel mothers, identify newborn complications, and reinforce behaviours that improve neonatal outcomes. The article recommends waiting about three months before elective dental treatment postpartum. Mothers who did not receive postnatal care had 44% lower odds of practicing ENC compared to mothers who did. Multiple new postpartum cavities are framed as a sign of systemic depletion rather than simply poor brushing. Ozone-enhanced professional cleanings are described as appropriate after pregnancy but not during pregnancy.