Pregnancy and Oral Health

Book excerpt: Four out of five Americans, and a similar proportion of people around the world, suffer from gum disease. In addition to increasing the risks of heart attack, stroke, diabetic complications and other life-threatening health problems, gum infections pose a particular risk to mothers-to-be. Pregnant women with severe gum infections are seven times more likely to have a premature or low birth weight baby, prone to serious illness and even death. Of the four million babies born each year in the US, more than 460,000 are born too early or too small. Drawing on more than thirty years' experience as a dental hygienist at the forefront of non-surgical periodontal care, Sheila is bringing a crucial message to expectant mothers. Pregnancy and Oral Health contains vital information and a simple, anti-bacterial self-care program that safeguards mother and baby against the dangerous consequences of oral infections, succeeding where the outdated methods of traditional dentistry fail.