Oral Health & Pregnancy - European Federation of Periodontology

_{The EFP thanks Oral-B for its support and its unrestricted grant}

Oral health & Pregnancy overview

Pregnancy is a crucial time in a woman’s life during which oral health is of fundamental importance, as gum disease has often been linked to various pregnancy complications.

Associations between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes have been demonstrated – a pregnant woman with poor gum health runs a greater risk of suffering from pre-eclampsia, of giving birth prematurely, and of giving birth to an underweight child.

During pregnancy, increased hormonal levels can affect the way that the body reacts to dental plaque and this can lead to swollen and bleeding gums (gingivitis) and to the more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis.

Thus, maintaining oral health and periodontal health during pregnancy is crucial both for pregnant women themselves and for their unborn children.

The Oral Health and Pregnancy project provides guidelines for pregnant women and for the various healthcare professionals who will advise them during their pregnancy.

The EFP thanks Oral-B for its unrestricted grant, that has made possible the Oral Health & Pregnancy campaign possible.

Watch our animation in English:

Are you pregnant or planning to be? Check our animations translated into eight languages!

Azerbaijani:

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Scientific report and key messages

The importance of oral health during pregnancy cannot be underestimated. Scientific studies have shown connections between gum disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight, and pre-eclampsia.

Are you an oral-health or health professional? Check these materials: