Oral Health During Pregnancy December 14, 2016 During pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal changes can increase her risk of developing gum disease or bleeding gums (pregnancy gingivitis). Any bacteria—both good and bad—that exists within the oral cavity is passed directly from mother to baby. When treating pregnant patients, dental health professionals aim to decrease their negative bacteria count and educate them on the importance of good oral hygiene to help prevent bacteria from building up. Addressing the dental needs of expectant mothers Throughout their pregnancy, women have regular contact with their medical provider, so dental education and referrals given during routine medical exams are valuable. To help expectant mothers prevent dental conditions that are potentially painful and costly to treat, it is important to emphasize: Dental checkups are safe and recommended during pregnancy. Extensive dental treatments for oral conditions that include anesthesia are safe. X-rays during pregnancy are safe with the correct protection. Interested in oral health programs and services for your clinic? If you would like more information about integrating oral health programs and services in your clinic, please contact our Provider Services Team at 541-768-5207 or 1-888-435-2396, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will connect you with one of our dental coordinators.
