Dental health is the health of your gums and teeth. Dental health is an important part of your overall health.

Some studies show a relationship between periodontitis (gum disease) and premature birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight. Taking good care of your gums and teeth during pregnancy can help you and your baby stay healthy.

How does pregnancy affect your dental health?

Pregnancy changes in your body can affect your gums and teeth. During pregnancy, you have more blood circulating through the body, more acid in the mouth and increased levels of hormones. Hormones are chemicals produced by the body.

These changes imply that you are more likely to have some dental health problems during pregnancy than before you became pregnant. These problems include the following:

Gingivitis. It is when you have red, inflamed or painful gums. The gums can bleed when you brush your teeth. Elevated levels of the hormone progesterone can lead to gingivitis during pregnancy. Without treatment, gingivitis can develop into a serious gum disease called “periodontitis.”

Loose teeth. Elevated levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy can affect the tissues and bones that hold the teeth in place. That can loosen your teeth.

Periodontitis. It is a serious gum disease. It happens when there is inflammation and infection in the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. That can loosen your teeth.

Tumors of pregnancy. These tumors are not cancer. These are lumps that form in the inflamed gums, usually between the teeth. This can cause bleeding. Tumors can arise from having too much plaque (sticky bacteria that forms on the teeth). Tumors of pregnancy usually disappear on their own. But you may need to take them out with surgery sometime after you have the baby.

Dental cavities. This happens when the acids in the mouth break down the enamel of a tooth. The enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth. As you have more acid in your mouth than normal during pregnancy, you are more likely to have cavities. If you get nauseous from pregnancy and vomit frequently, you have even more acid in your mouth.

Drop of teeth. If you have cavities or severe gum disease, your teeth may fall out. Or your dentist may have teeth.

What are the signs and symptoms of dental health problems during pregnancy?

Signs and symptoms include:

• Bad breath
• Gums that hurt when you touch them or that bleed when you brush your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Sores, lumps or other tumors in the mouth
• Red or reddish-purple gums
• Bright, painful or inflamed gums
• Toothache or other pain
• Call your dentist if you have any of these signs or symptoms.

How are dental health problems diagnosed during pregnancy?

You may notice a problem with your teeth or gums or your dentist may find it during a routine dental checkup.

Get regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy. If you have not consulted the dentist recently, do so early in pregnancy. At the checkup, tell the dentist that you are pregnant and tell him or her what prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.

Dental checkups during pregnancy are important so the dentist can find and treat dental problems. Periodic tooth cleanings can also help prevent tooth decay. If you have problems, your dentist may recommend treatment during pregnancy or after delivery.

If a dental problem arises, the dentist may take an x-ray. X-ray is a medical test that uses radiation to create an image on a screen. Dental X-rays can show problems such as decay, plaque signs under the gums, or loss of bone in the mouth. Dental X-rays use a very small amount of radiation. Make sure your professional protects you with an apron and lead neck protector. That helps keep your body and baby safe.

How are dental health problems treated during pregnancy?

The type of dental treatment you are given will depend on the problem you have and how advanced your pregnancy is.

You may only need a good dental cleaning from your dentist. Or you may need surgery in your mouth. Your dentist can treat many problems safely during pregnancy. But you can tell her to wait until after the birth to do some treatments.

Your dentist may avoid treating some problems in the first trimester of pregnancy because it is an important time in your baby’s growth and development. Your dentist may also suggest postponing some dental treatments during pregnancy if you had a miscarriage in the past or if you are at greater risk than other women of having this. Miscarriage occurs when the baby dies in the uterus before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

How can you help prevent dental health problems?

Here are ways you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush your teeth with a fluoride dentifrice and floss every day. Brush with a soft bristle brush twice a day. Floss once a day to clean between your teeth. Brushing and frequent flossing around the gum line can remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
• If pregnancy nausea makes you feel too bad to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. If you vomit, rinse mouth with water to remove acid.
• Visit your dentist for a dental checkup every 6 months even during pregnancy.
• Eat nutritious food. Healthy eating provides important nutrients for you and your growing baby. Your baby’s teeth begin to develop between 3 and 6 months of pregnancy. Nutrients, such as calcium, protein and vitamins A, C and D, help your baby’s teeth grow healthy.
• Limit sweets. Eating too much food or sweet drinks can lead to dental cavities. Instead of sweets, drink water and choose healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

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