• LaurenWallace


Growing evidence suggests that pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. While more researching is needed, it appears that gum disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that can induce labor. Data also suggest that when gum disease worsens during pregnancy, there's a higher risk of having a premature, low birth weight baby.


Women considering pregnancy should visit their dentist for a checkup and to treat any oral care problems before becoming pregnant.




Most women notice changes in their gums during pregnancy; common signs are gums that look redder and bleed during tooth brushing. Some women also experience severe swelling and bleeding gums. All of these changes are referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis," and they can start as early as the second month of pregnancy. The condition tends to peak around the eighth month, and it often tapers off after the baby is born.

The condition occurs more frequently during pregnancy because the increased level of hormones, estrogen and progesterone, exaggerates the way gums react to the irritants in plaque. However, it's still plaque — not hormones — that is the major cause of gingivitis. It’s most common in the front of the mouth. During pregnancy, the level of progesterone in your body can be 10 times higher than normal. This may enhance growth of certain bacteria that cause gingivitis. Your immune system may also work differently during pregnancy. This could change the way your body reacts to the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
