Dental Care as a Safe and Essential Part of a Healthy Pregnancy

Oral health is essential for general health and well-being, and this is especially so during pregnancy. Pregnancy may present challenges to the oral health of the mother, mainly because of adaptations in basic physiology. However, many mothers-to-be and their health professionals, both prenatal and dental, are unsure as to the safety of providing dental care during pregnancy. National guidelines, together with recommendations from numerous state-level and professional organizations, consistently indicate that provision of dental care is both safe and essential during pregnancy. Pregnancy also provides opportunities for the oral health of both infant and new mother after delivery that can set the infant on a lifetime pathway that minimizes preventable oral disease. This review summarizes guidelines for dental care during pregnancy, provides an overview of physiologic changes that occur and their relevance to oral health and dental care delivery, outlines risk factors for oral conditions, and considers timely preventive strategies. It also underscores the need for interprofessional collaboration with the perinatal team to optimize the quality of healthcare and ensure positive outcomes.