Don't brush your teeth daily? Know how it is linked to pregnancy complications

If you are bearing a child and putting oral health care on the back burner, it's time to wake up. Brush your teeth, but also ensure your oral health is up to the mark. Women are more prone to periodontal (gum) disease and cavities during pregnancy. The association between pregnant women’s oral health and their children’s risk of developing cavities is well known. A recent study has now found a link between lack of oral health care with complications in pregnant women.

There have been several studies on oral health care during pregnancy and its influence on pregnancy outcomes. However, a recent , conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany found that maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is associated with reduced incidence of gestational diabetes and hypertension.
In the US, oral health takes a backseat especially when women are pregnant. The use of oral health services during pregnancy remains low, with fewer than 40% seeking preventive oral health care.

The researchers analyzed data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a data pool maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2016 and 2020. They found that the
lack of regular preventive oral health care and delaying dental treatment during pregnancy increases the risk of developing dental diseases such as periodontal disease, which is potentially associated with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.


The risk of developing these disorders was considerably low in women who received preventive oral health care. “Our findings reinforce the connection between oral health and overall health,” Dr. Simona Surdu, project director at the Center for Health Workforce Studies said in a statement. “Integrating oral health education and services into maternal health care and expanding the oral health workforce through training, better distribution, and interprofessional collaboration with prenatal care providers can improve access to oral health services for pregnant women, especially in underserved populations, and help reduce the risks of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.”

The CDC says that oral health is an important part of prenatal care. Poor oral health during pregnancy can lead to poor health outcomes for the mother and baby. "Dental care is safe and important during pregnancy," the health agency notes.
In 2019, the CDC in association with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) launched Protect Tiny Teeth, an that has resources to help healthcare professionals talk with their pregnant patients about their oral healthcare needs.