|
|
|
|
|
|
Dental CareWhy is dental care before pregnancy important? Should I be drinking fluoridated or unfluoridated water? Why is dental care before pregnancy important?The health of your teeth and gums, also called dental care or oral health, may possibly affect the growth and development of your fetus.It is important to brush and floss your teeth to prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis, a gum disease, and other oral infections can lead to poorer maternal nutrition due to pain or discomfort while eating. More importantly, studies show that gum disease and oral infections can increase your risk for premature birth and low birthweight babies from either preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes (meaning your water breaks early). If you think you might be pregnant and have an appointment with your dentist or if a dental emergency arises, be sure to tell your dentist that you might be pregnant or that you're planning to get pregnant. It's a smart idea to tell your dentist about your plans to become pregnant so you can schedule any special work, treatments, or X-rays before you conceive. As a rule of thumb, dentists prefer to do only emergency and routine hygiene/cleaning procedures on pregnant women. But, some dentists may fill cavities as well. You will want to avoid X-rays if you think you might be pregnant even though dental X-rays (especially those taken with newer machines) don't send out large amounts of radiation. If X-rays are necessary, be sure your dentist always covers you with a lead apron for protection. Should I be drinking fluoridated or unfluoridated water?Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Therefore, to reduce the likelihood that you'll have to be treated for cavities or gum disease during your pregnancy, it's a smart idea to get some fluoride into your system on a regular basis before you become pregnant.You have a number of choices of fluoride sources. You can get your fluoride through your tap water (depending where you live -- it varies by state), fluoridated bottled water, or by using a fluoride rinse or fluoridated toothpaste (twice a day). Your dentist can tell you if you're getting enough fluoride. Most recent page update: 10/26/2012
Related Links
© 2013 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. |
News and Features
Listening to MothersSM III: New Mothers Speak Out (June 2013) reports on new national surveys about issues women face in the postpartum period and their views about maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials  Listening to MothersSM III (May 2013) is the third national survey exploring women's experiences in pregnancy and childbirth. Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to navigate their maternity care. Access the full report and supplementary materials New Report: Maternity Care and Liability Go to report and supporting materials New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States Go to report and supporting materials New Cesarean Resources: Go to Best Evidence Report Go to web pages and booklet for women 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the
quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn
more about our rich history through our interactive
timeline and give
$95 for 95 in honor of
our 95th birthday. 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best
possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get
there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation
today.
The Transforming
Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care
system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality
improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and
Blueprint for
Action, features a Blog, and other
resources such as an Action Center, a
database of
quality improvement projects, an interactive data
center, and many more tools
for advocates and stakeholders.
Help Transform Maternity Care! |
