Can My Dental Health Affect Your Pregnancy? You Bet!
...but is it *really* safe to get dental treatments when pregnant?
We all know the essentials of a healthy pregnancy: eating right (most of the time), staying active, and popping those prenatal vitamins. But there’s one area many moms-to-be might now think about too much—your dental health!
Fun fact: Keeping those pearly whites in top shape isn’t just good for you, it’s good for your baby, too.
What’s the big deal?
It turns out, the health of your mouth can impact the health of your whole body, and that includes your little one. Ever heard of oral health disorders? They’re things like cavities and gum disease that can cause more trouble than you’d think. Research has shown that people with poor oral health have higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and even lung infections—and during pregnancy, this matters even more.
Unfortunately, many pregnant folks miss out on this crucial part of prenatal care. Nearly 70% of pregnant people did not seek dental care during pregnancy, a study from 2021 showed. Reasons for not visiting the dentist included:
40.3% were unaware that dental services are important during pregnancy.
9% believed the myth that dental care is unsafe during pregnancy.
14.7% thought a dental checkup wasn’t necessary while pregnant.
5% avoided the dentist due to fear of dental procedures.
1% cited a lack of time for dental visits.
Pregnancy and Your Teeth: What Changes?
Pregnancy can bring on all kinds of changes to your oral health. For example:
Your gums might bleed more easily.
Cavities could become more common due to higher acid levels in the mouth.
Morning sickness? Watch out—stomach acid can erode tooth enamel.
Even your teeth might feel loose due to shifting ligaments (don’t worry, they’ll bounce back!).
Here’s the kicker: Studies show a link between gum disease and a higher risk of preterm birth. Increased inflammation and bacteria in your mouth may trigger labor early, though we still need more research to confirm this. What we do know is that keeping your mouth healthy is a good move all around.
But is the Dentist Really Safe During Pregnancy?
Many people (and even some dentists…) worry that dental treatments could harm the baby. But the good news is most routine treatments—like cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and even root canals—are safe! Just let your dentist know you’re pregnant, and if there’s any hesitation, your OB/GYN can give the go-ahead.
One more reason to prioritize dental care? The bacteria that cause cavities can actually be passed from mom to baby after birth through things like sharing spoons or cleaning pacifiers with your mouth. So keeping your own teeth healthy can help protect your baby’s teeth in the future!
Take this newsletter as your sign to make that dental appointment!
Until next time,
Dr. Jen
Reference:
Swathi K, Koothati RK, Motor RR, Priyadarshini, RajaShekar CH, Vallakonda S. Knowledge and Experience of Women about Dental Services Utilization during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2021 Nov;13(Suppl 2):S1042-S1046. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_281_21. Epub 2021 Nov 10. PMID: 35017926; PMCID: PMC8686874.