Delta Dental: More pregnant women getting dental care

Some 63% of pregnant women visited the dentist in 2016, an increase of 5.5 percentage points compared with 57.5% in 2015, according to a new Delta Dental study.

The study found several issues that occur during pregnancy, including the following:

• "Pregnancy gingivitis" is increased bleeding and tenderness of the gums that can affect pregnant women due to increased hormones. Prevention includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing, especially along and below the gum line.
• "Pregnancy tumors" are rare, red growths of periodontal tissue that can develop on the gums between the teeth from excess plaque, usually during the second trimester of pregnancy. They may bleed when irritated, but they are harmless and usually go away after the baby's birth.

Delta Dental included the following recommendations for pregnant women who need routine or emergency dental care:

• Avoid routine dental care during the first trimester and later part of the third trimester.
• Have restorations or other procedures done in the second trimester. Elective procedures such as teeth whitening or other cosmetic work should be avoided until the baby is born.
• Inform their dentist of their status.