Your Dental Health: Pregnancy and Oral Health by Dr. Jerry SimonWhat does being pregnant have to do with going to the dentist? According to medical researchers, apparently everything! In fact a woman who is considering becoming pregnant ought to go to the dentist first. Gums that are infected, bleeding, red, or swollen are an infection that can affect other areas of the body including the unborn baby. In addition, the next opportunity to take x-rays might be over a year away! Cavities can grow undetected and lead to abscess and tooth aches. That is the last thing a pregnant woman wants. While dental xrays should generally be avoided during pregnancy, regular dental cleanings to insure gum health are essential. Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight Babies Almost 500,000 babies in the United States are born prematurely. Did you know that pregnant women with chronic periodontal (gum) disease during the second trimester are up to seven times more likely to give birth prematurely? Gum infection plays a possible role in the development of preeclampsia, a serious condition affecting approximately 5% of U.S. pregnancies. In fact preeclampsia is considered one of the main causes of miscarriages and pre-mature births. Gums that are red, puffy and bleed are not normal in pregnancy. They are infected and need treatment. Your dentist should recommend additional cleanings to help you avoid problems. Even insurance companies, not known for their generous benefits, encourage women to have an extra cleaning during pregnancy to avoid the high costs of complications during pregnancy. At Dental Care of Stamford we encourage women to make dental health a part of their over all lifestyle and especially during child bearing years. More information about gum disease and pregnancy may be found on this website or by calling 203-324-6171. Remember, it’s not just a cleaning.
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