Pregnancy can affect your teeth
Print
Thursday, April 16, 2009
It's a myth that "one tooth is lost with every pregnancy," the Academy of General Dentistry says. But pregnancy may cause unexpected dental problems. Here's what the academy says you need to know:
How does gingivitis affect my baby's
health?
Research suggests a link between pre-term delivery, low
birthweight babies and gingivitis. Excessive bacteria can enter the
bloodstream and travel to the uterus.
What are pregnancy tumors?
Pregnant women are at risk for developing pregnancy
tumors-inflammatory, non-cancerous growths that develop between the
teeth or when swollen gums become irritated. The tumors shrink on
their own after birth.
Are there any dental procedures I should
avoid?
Routine exams and cleanings can be performed throughout pregnancy;
however, non-emergency procedures should only be performed during
the second trimester of pregnancy.
For more information, check out the Academy of General Dentistry's new Web site, www.knowyourteeth.com/family .
