New research has found that women who go into labour early are 45% more likely to have gum disease.
This study was published in The Journal of Clinical Periodontology and shows how oral heath can have an effect on your overall well being.
Many women have found it difficult to keep up good oral health during pregnancy with the increased production of hormones which affects the bodies response to plaque.
Dental health can also be made worse by the increase in vomiting during pregnancy.
What pregnant women can do to look after their teeth
The first think to do is stop smoking, this not only has an adverse effect on an unborn child’s development but also increase your risk of gum disease.
Cut down or stop alcohol consumption which has also been shown to increase gum disease.
Get a dental check up between 13 to 28 weeks of your pregnancy.
Bleeding gums are very common during pregnancy, but you should consult with your doctor to keep this under control.
Your oral bacteria are passed onto your child when they are born, so you want to ensure your oral health is as good as possible, so regular dental visits during pregnancy are advised to give your child the best start in life.
