Tupelo, MS -- Dr. John Kenney -- "Your Dental Health" - Pregnancy

It's no secret that pregnancy is an important time in a woman's life. However, misunderstandings about the safety of dental care during pregnancy may cause women to avoid seeing their dentist. The fact is, your dentist can create a treatment plan that is safe, effective, and essential for combating the adverse effects of oral disease during pregnancy. The most common oral disease for pregnant women is gingivitis. This buildup of plaque that causes inflammation of the gums should be treated with a professional cleaning in addition to proper tooth-brushing and flossing. If left untreated, bacteria from excessive gingivitis can travel to the uterus and possibly trigger the production of certain chemicals suspected to induce premature labor. If you're planning on becoming pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should see your dentist. He or she will assess your oral condition and map out a proper, safe dental plan for the rest of your pregnancy.