Due to the ways in which gum disease affects your entire body, there are multiple issues to take into consideration when looking at oral hygiene throughout pregnancy.
Gingivitis caused by pregnancy affects approximately 50% of women. Many women experience discomfort from sore or bleeding gums from gingival inflammation.1
During pregnancy, this gingivitis may worsen, making women increasingly at-risk for developing periodontal disease during this time.1
There is a strong association between the presence of periodontal disease and the risk of preterm birth. Women who become pregnant must be especially careful about practicing proper hygiene techniques at home, as periodontal disease can increase this risk by up to seven times.1
Undergoing treatment to manage your periodontal disease throughout pregnancy may not reduce the risk of preterm delivery.
The current lack of mechanisms to specifically address these risks makes prevention of gum disease through proper oral hygiene especially important in contributing to your health and the health of your baby.