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Published on: March 29, 2018
Oral health and dental care during pregnancy
Barbara J Steinberg1, Irene V Hilton, Hiroko Iida
1Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA. bjsdds@aol.com
Abstract:
Current research shows that women tend to receive less dental care than usual when they are pregnant. In 2012, the first national consensus statement on oral health care during pregnancy was issued, emphasizing both the importance and safety of routine dental care for pregnant women. This article reviews the current recommendations for perinatal oral health care and common oral manifestations during pregnancy. Periodontal disease and its association with preterm birth and low birth weight are also discussed, as is the role played by dental intervention in these adverse outcomes.
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