Dental Care During Pregnancy

Keep That Glittering Smile

-- By Leanne Beattie, Mother & Health Writer

You may have heard that you lose a tooth for every pregnancy, but that’s just an old wives’ tale. Oral health is a reflection of your overall health, however, so maintaining proper dental care during pregnancy is especially important.

Pregnancy Gingivitis
It’s quite common to have dental problems during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can make gum tissues more susceptible to the bacteria in plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding gums. This “pregnancy gingivitis” can be prevented by brushing and flossing each day. Having your teeth professionally cleaned early in your pregnancy may help prevent most gum problems, too.

Frequent snacking on sugary foods can also contribute to gingivitis. Continually bathing the teeth in plaque and bacteria can cause your gums to swell and bleed, so if you're eating more often, make sure to brush your teeth more often as well.

The best way to improve gingivitis during pregnancy is to practice excellent oral hygiene. Remember the basics:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings.

Periodontal Disease and Premature Birth
Proper dental care is especially important during pregnancy, since serious gum disease (periodontal disease) has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. A study by the University of North Carolina showed that women with periodontal disease were seven times more likely to have a baby born too early or too small. Researchers believe that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease enter the bloodstream through the mouth and travel to the uterus, where they trigger the production of prostaglandins, which may cause premature labor. If a baby is born too soon, it can’t reach its full potential weight.

Member Comments About this Article

	"response to swankygrl---Dental care is expensive, like medical care. And like medical care, dental care can be very important to your health. Significant cardiovascular health problems can be caused by poorly maintained dentition! Both dental and medical care can be expensive but that doesn't mean that those without private insurance should not have access to both." -- RGSSN45

	"For Swankygirl, taking care of your teeth is very important, I know because I am a Dental Hygienist. I currently work in a pediatric office, and we do see adults, which is a medicaid office. I do not understand how you can say that offices should not accept medicaid. Some of these patients would not have any teeth if it was not for them being able to go to the dentist on a regular basis, and some of the kids are worse than the parents because they do not understand the importance of taking ca..." -- AWINDAU

	"I don't believe that taking care of your teeth is a luxury. If you want to get your teeth bleached or something along that line, I would consider that a luxury. Getting your teeth cleaned is something that should be as routine as getting a physical. For the record I have a full time job and still had to used medicaid to get two teeth extracted. If I did not have medicaid I would have just been lying extreme pain until I could save enough money to pull them out." -- AHURLEY27

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About The Author

Leanne Beattie
Leanne Beattie is the mother of three daughters. A freelance writer for 10 years, Leanne often writes about health and nutrition. You can find her at www.joymagnet.blogspot.com.