When cravings for junk food and risk of periodontal disease are at their peak, nearly half of pregnant women are avoiding the dentist, according to a recent US study.
When cravings for junk food and risk of periodontal disease are at their peak, nearly half of pregnant women are avoiding the dentist, according to a recent US study.Expectant mums have a lot on their minds, so it’s no surprise that a trip to the dentist falls down the list of priorities—but a survey of pregnant women across the U.S. has found a startling 43 per cent of pregnant women are skipping out on dental appointments.
The survey also found that only 55 per cent of women rate their oral health as very good or excellent during pregnancy, compared to 63 per cent of women pre-pregnancy.
Certain conditions can flare up during pregnancy—such as gingivitis—thanks to hormonal changes, so the need for regular check-ups increases significantly during this time.
The impact of the mother’s oral health on her baby is critical too, with tooth decay and gum disease potentially posing a risk to their baby’s wellbeing. Up to 76 per cent of women admit to suffering oral health problems while pregnant—such as toothaches or bleeding gums—but not all follow up with treatment.
The study, undertaken by Cigna, revealed that a large proportion of doctors and obstetricians don’t discuss oral health with their patients. While 97 per cent of women said they saw their doctor or obstetrician during their pregnancy as frequently as directed, only 44 per cent said oral health was mentioned in those visits.
The effects of a well-rounded doctor’s influence is noticeable—while 43 per cent of new mothers have a dental check-up after giving birth, that percentage climbed to 63 per cent for women whose doctors discussed oral health with them during maternity visits. With oral health playing a critical role in overall wellbeing, it seems this opportunity is being missed.
