Fact Sheets for Families …

                                             Fact Sheets for Families

                   Oral Health and Pregnancy
As a woman you have special needs at different points         away quickly, it can damage surfaces of teeth and
of your life. Your oral health is no exception, and can       cause tooth decay.
be affected by hormonal changes during puberty, men-        · Pregnant women sometimes get very busy and may
struation, pregnancy and menopause. While good oral           run out of time and energy to care for themselves
health, which includes care of the teeth, gums and            and their dental health.
mouth, is important in any stage of your life, it is very   · In addition, pregnant women may not experi-
important during pregnancy.                                   ence symptoms until they reach advanced disease
                                                              stages.
What are some common dental problems
during pregnancy?                                           Could gum disease affect your baby's
Pregnant women are at higher risk for developing            health?
tooth decay. They are also particularly vulnerable to       Anything that damages a mother's health can also
gum disease (gingivitis) and a chronic bacterial disease    affect her baby. Emerging evidence and new research
that affects the gums, attachment fibers and bone sup-      have shown a relationship between pre-term, low
porting the teeth (periodontal disease or periodontitis).   birth weight babies and gingivitis. The excessive bac-
These risks increase in women who smoke, experience         teria which cause gingivitis can enter the bloodstream
nutritional deficiencies, or have less frequent visits to   through the gums and travel to the uterus, triggering
the dentist. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate       the production of chemicals called "prostaglandins,"
oral hygiene and is reversible with professional treat-     which are suspected to induce premature labor.
ment and good oral care. Untreated gingivitis can
advance to periodontitis.                                   Are x-rays safe?
                                                            If you are pregnant, you can postpone dental x-rays
How does pregnancy affect teeth and                         until after your baby is born. If your dentist recom-
gums?                                                       mends dental x-rays, the dental office will provide a
· Pregnant women and those who take some oral               leaded apron to shield you and your baby from the low
  contraceptives experience high levels of the hor-         dose of radiation used.
  mone progesterone. Elevated levels of this hormone
  increase gum sensitivity to the bacteria found in         Ways of keeping your teeth healthy
  plaque and may cause gingivitis (red, puffy or ten-       Practice good dental hygiene. To help prevent tooth
  der gums that easily bleed when brushing).                decay and gum disease, keep your mouth clean, brush
· Increased need and desire for food and snacking,          your teeth thoroughly and remove plaque. Clean
  especially on sticky foods that stay on teeth longer,     between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners.
  may cause tooth decay.
· Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) during             Visit the dentist regularly. Regular dental cleanings
  pregnancy can also increase the incidence of dental       and check-ups before, during and after your preg-
  health problems. Frequent vomiting can leave stom-        nancy are important. Let your dentist know that you
  ach acids in the mouth. If this acid is not cleared       are pregnant.
                                                            Eat healthy, nutritious food. Your baby's teeth begin
                                                            to develop between the third and sixth month of preg-
        Provided by California Childcare Health Program     nancy. Eating a balanced diet (based on new dietary
        For more information, please contact:               guidelines) is not only necessary for your health, but
        Healthline 1-800-333-3212                           what you eat during pregnancy also affects the devel-
                                                            opment of your unborn child--including teeth. Avoid
        Distributed by:
                                                            foods that are sticky or contain a lot of sugar. These
                                                            foods can cause tooth decay.

                                                            References and Sources
                                                            American Dental Association at www.ada.org.
                                                            American Academy of Periodontology at www.perio.org.

                                                                                                                   04/05