So, you’re having a baby or thinking about having one — congratulations! This is an exciting time in your life, but it’s probably also a bit hectic and stressful. There are so many things that you’re supposed to juggle during pregnancy to make sure your baby is healthy: avoid certain foods, take the right vitamins, get enough sleep, visit the doctor regularly ... the list is endless! As a mom myself, I’ve slogged through it twice, so I know just how overwhelming it can be. After reading dozens of baby books and getting the nursery colors picked out, you might finally think you’ve covered it all, but there’s actually one more thing you should add to your pregnancy checklist that the baby

books often leave out: a dental visit.

How will a visit to the dentist help my baby?

If you’re not sure how a dentist can help you have a healthy pregnancy, you’re not alone! Outside the dental world, not a lot of people realize that there’s a very important link between good oral health and a healthy pregnancy. If a mom has gum disease, cavities, or airway issues, that can affect her developing baby. Sometimes, the results can be as serious as premature labor, low birth weight, or delivery complications.

Luckily, an experienced dentist with the necessary training can catch all of these problems early. That’s why I always recommend visiting the dentist early in your pregnancy or even when you’re still trying for a baby! It could make all the difference in your little one’s life. As you might be able to tell, this is a topic that’s really close to my heart, which is why I created this guide for you. In the next few pages, I’ll go over the three biggest oral health risks during pregnancy — airway issues, gum disease, and cavities — and how a good dentist can help you avoid them.

Contagious Cavities: Keep Your Baby Safe From Bacteria

Gum disease (aka periodontal disease) is a type of inflammation that manifests in the gums. A lot of people assume that it’s caused by poor brushing and flossing habits, but that’s actually only one trigger. I’ve seen a lot of patients with gum disease who are great at brushing and flossing but are predisposed to it because of their genetics or other conditions that cause inflammation, like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include red or swollen gums and bleeding when you floss. This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a sign of serious inflammation that can harm you and your baby.

How much harm can gum disease cause?

Inflammation in the gums ends up circulating throughout your whole body and puts your system in fight-or-flight mode. As you can imagine, this isn’t the ideal state to be in when you’re having a baby! Gum disease has been linked with premature labor, low birth weight, and increased delivery complications. It can also be a barrier to fertility treatments because it makes in vitro fertilization (IVF) more likely to fail. Luckily, it’s easy to treat with the help of an experienced dentist or hygienist. At Great Smiles, my team and I use techniques like deep cleaning (including scaling and root planing) and occasional surgery to keep periodontal disease in check and help future

moms stay healthy.