Your dental health isn’t only limited to your mouth. It also has an impact on your overall health and wellbeing. Poor oral health will not only affect your mouth, but can also lead to other diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, and even cancer. If you are pregnant, bad oral health can cause issues with your pregnancy. How does poor oral health affect pregnancies?

Effects Of An Unhealthy Mouth On Pregnancies

When you are an expectant mother with bad oral health, the harmful bacteria in your mouth can be transmitted to the unborn baby through the blood and amniotic fluid. This can lead to premature delivery as the bacteria inflames the placenta and ruptures the amniotic sac. It can also lead to low birth weight. When babies are born prematurely or with low birth weight, they are at greater risk of developing ill-health and suffering from problems such as learning disorders, heart conditions, and lung conditions. Even after giving birth, the mother can still pass on the harmful bacteria to her baby through breastfeeding. This is known as vertical transmission. This can lead to the baby also developing oral complications.

The hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy increase a woman’s risk of developing oral health problems such as gingivitis. Without proper dental care, these problems can have a negative effect on the pregnancy. Ignoring oral health problems while you are pregnant can have serious consequences for you and the fetus. It is important for pregnant women to observe good oral hygiene in order to protect themselves and their babies.

If you are pregnant, you should brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque which can lead to oral problems. It is also important to regularly visit our clinic for checkups with our professionals. In case you need recommendations on dental care products that are safe for your pregnancy, contact our offices today.

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