A PREGNANCY BARRIER

There are a lot of things that happen to the body during pregnancy. The oral cavity, the gateway to the rest of the body, is part of that. In a recent survey conducted by an insurance company, it was found that more than 75% of pregnant women and new mothers experience an oral health problem. The survey also found that almost half of the surveyed women did not visit the dentist during pregnancy despite having dental problems.

The researchers cited cost as one of the main reasons why pregnant women do not go to the dentist, and they found that women without dental benefits were twice as likely as those with benefits to not visit the dentist during pregnancy. However, their conclusion was that healthcare professionals may be able to increase the amount of women who prioritize oral health by simply talking to women about the importance of visiting the dentist.

It is important for pregnant women to visit the dentist because all infections, including ones in the oral cavity, may impact the health of their baby. In addition, according to the study, hormonal changes throughout pregnancy can increase the risk for periodontal disease.

I remember when I decided to go to dental school, my grandmother told me that she had all of her teeth at 82, except for the four she lost – one for each of her pregnancies. Now, I’m not sure what her frequency was back in those days of visiting a dentist, but the mere fact that she could correlate tooth loss with pregnancy always stuck in my head.

She, and the medical community, did not know back then that the risk for gum disease increased during pregnancy. We also did not know what effects this increase in inflammation did to the rest of the body, including the developing baby. We know more now.

For pregnant women, any infection, including tooth decay and gum disease, has the added possibility of affecting the baby’s health. Healthcare providers need to spend more time explaining the connection between oral health and overall wellness before, during, and after pregnancy.

While it is important to acknowledge the frequent reasons for avoiding the dentist and offer insight into overcoming potential barriers — such as providing details about what services are covered under a preventive visit and upfront communications about treatment costs for restorative services — educating about the potential consequences of failure to control dental problems should be first and foremost.

The takeaway is to “bring oral health into the conversation about overall health during preventive checkups,” the survey authors concluded. “Educating patients regarding the importance of regular dental exams, home care, and the potential impact of oral health on overall health as often as possible will have an incremental positive effect on the patient.”

It is clear from this study that cost is an issue for pregnant women (it is for the general population too) when it comes to getting dental care. If finances are the barrier, talk to your dental office to see how they can make it work for you. Don’t let lack of “insurance” be a barrier. Be an advocate for yourself. I’ll have more on this in future columns.