Oral health care in pregnancy is of

Oral health care in pregnancy is often avoided and misunderstood by physicians, dentists, andpatients. Evidence-based practice guidelines are still being developed. Research suggests thatsome prenatal oral conditions may have adverse consequences for the child. Periodontitis isassociated with preterm birth and low birth weight, and high levels of cariogenic bacteria inmothers can lead to increased dental caries in the infant. Other oral lesions, such as gingivitisand pregnancy tumors, are benign and require only reassurance and monitoring. Every pregnant woman should be screened for oral risks, counseled on proper oral hygiene, and referredfor dental treatment when necessary. Dental procedures such as diagnostic radiography, periodontal treatment, restorations, and extractions are safe and are best performed during thesecond trimester. Xylitol and chlorhexidine may be used as adjuvant therapy for high-riskmothers in the early postpartum period to reduce transmission of cariogenic bacteria to theirinfants. Appropriate dental care and prevention during pregnancy may reduce poor prenataloutcomes and decrease infant caries. (Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1139-1144. Copyright 2008 American Academy of Family Physicians.

Oral health care in pregnancy is often avoided and misunderstood, by physicians dentists and
, patients. Evidence-based. Practice guidelines are still being developed. Research suggests that
some prenatal oral conditions may have adverse consequences. For the child. Periodontitis is
associated with preterm birth and low birth weight and high, levels of cariogenic bacteria. In
.Mothers can lead to increased dental caries in the infant. Other, oral lesions such as gingivitis
and, pregnancy tumors. Are benign and require only reassurance and monitoring. Every pregnant woman should be screened for, oral risks counseled. On proper, oral hygiene and referred
for dental treatment when necessary. Dental procedures such as, diagnostic radiography. Periodontal, treatmentRestorations and extractions, are safe and are best performed during the
second trimester. Xylitol and chlorhexidine may. Be used as adjuvant therapy for high-risk
mothers in the early postpartum period to reduce transmission of cariogenic bacteria. To their
infants. Appropriate dental care and prevention during pregnancy may reduce poor prenatal
outcomes and decrease. Infant caries.(Am Fam Physician. 2008; 77 (8): 1139-1144. Copyright
2008 American Academy of Family Physicians.