Maternal Health

Gingivitis During Pregnancy 

Expectant mothers learn about many healthy habits to maintain during pregnancy. But it can take more than just a good diet and exercise to give your baby the best chance of a healthy delivery. Oral health can play a larger role in the health of your baby than you might think.

Many expectant mothers wonder, "Can gum disease harm my unborn baby?" The research shows a strong link between low birth-weight babies and periodontal disease such as gingivitis. Inflammation in the gums due to periodontitis can have a negative impact on unborn babies, increasing the likelihood of premature births, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and miscarriage.

Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease have a:

• 30-50% higher risk of giving birth pre-term
• 800% higher risk of giving pre-term birth if their peritonitis is moderate or worse

Oral Care During Pregnancy

Periodontal disease is caused by the invasion of certain types of bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, including those that cause periodontitis. A 2011 study found that 40% of pregnant women have some sort of periodontal disease.

How We Can Help

At Union Village Medical Group, we work on consort with the oral health professionals at Union Village Modern Dentistry to include oral care as part of your health maintenance regimen during pregnancy. Salivary diagnostic testing is one way to assess your risk of periodontal disease and the associated risks to your baby.

If you.re wondering, "Why are my gums swollen while pregnant?" call us today. By addressing the Mouth-Body Connection® for whole-body health, we can provide expectant mothers your best chance of healthy pregnancies.