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Oral Health During Pregnancy: What Expecting Mothers Should Know

As any expecting mother can attest, pregnancy causes a lot of changes to one’s body, including to one’s oral health. Mothers may notice changes to their gum tissue, including heightened sensitivity, inflammation, or swelling. These symptoms can be indicative of the early stages of gum disease known as gingivitis. In fact, at least sixty to seventy-five percent of women who are with child may develop gingivitis during gestation. But what does bearing children have to do with one’s gingival health?

A common sign of gum disease is inflammation, and the hormonal changes that accompany child-bearing intensify this symptom. Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy cause the body to circulate more blood than usual throughout the body, including to the gums. In turn, this increased blood flow can cause gum tissue to become more tender and swollen.

As the trimesters progress, gingival swelling will grow worse if not attended to. Not only is inflamed gum tissue uncomfortable, but it increases the risk of developing a bacterial infection. This is because the capillaries in swollen gums make an ideal entry point for bacteria to easily enter the bloodstream through the mouth and spread throughout the body.

This is especially problematic for pregnant mothers, because bacteria that enters the bloodstream through gum tissue can bypass the placental barrier that guards the passage of substances between a mother and her baby in the womb. Such bacteria may have a direct impact on the uterus, resulting in premature birth and a low birth weight.

Consequently, it is crucial to recognize the importance of maintaining good periodontal health and developing a consistent oral hygiene regimen. Such habits include proper and regular brushing (insert spear video titled “Proper Brushing Technique”) and flossing (insert spear video titled “Proper Flossing Technique”) techniques.

In addition, expectant mothers should be on the lookout for signs of gum disease such as tender, inflamed, and swollen gums, persistently bad breath, and a lingering bad taste in the mouth, and should seek early treatment should any of these symptoms manifest.

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Oral Health Myth Busters