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Almost half of pregnant women and new mothers don’t visit the dentist during pregnancy, according to a recent Cigna survey. But skipping your regular dentist appointment could impact your health -- and the health of your baby.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that healthcare providers counsel all women, including pregnant women, about the importance of oral health. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase the risk of gum disease for women, and all infections, including ones in the oral cavity, may impact a baby’s health.

"For pregnant women, any infection, including tooth decay and gum disease, has the added possibility of affecting the baby's health,” the authors of the survey wrote.

Dental problems are common during pregnancy

For the survey, Cigna and M/A/R/C Research sent out a questionnaire to 801 pregnant women and women who had babies within the past year. They found that dental problems are common during pregnancy, and more than 75% of pregnant women experienced an oral health problem.

Data courtesy of the 2015 Cigna survey "Health Smiles For Mom And Baby"

Women’s oral health routines also seemed to slip after the baby was born. New mothers reported brushing and flossing less frequently after giving birth, mostly because they don’t have the time, and only 43% of new mothers visited the dentist since giving birth.

Still not convinced to schedule a checkup? The survey found one of the main reasons why pregnant women skipped their dentist visit was because of treatment costs. However, some insurance plans have added benefits for pregnant women, such as extra cleanings and exams, and getting preventive care helps save money in the long run.

Talk to your dentist

The survey found that talking to your healthcare provider may help you keep your mouth healthy. Women whose practitioners talked to them about the importance of oral health were twice as likely to visit the dentist and also twice as likely to read materials about oral health.

“It is important [for healthcare providers] to acknowledge the frequent reasons for avoiding the dentist and offer insight into overcoming potential barriers -- such as providing details about what services are covered under a preventive visit and upfront communications about treatment costs for restorative services,” explained Miles Hall, DDS, Cigna’s chief clinical dental director.

Your dental office may be able to tell you if your insurance plan has additional coverage. A dentist can also answer any questions you may have about caring for your and your baby’s dental health.

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