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Narrator:

Why is dental hygiene so important during pregnancy?

Dr. Keith Eddleman, MD:

Well, there's some information that shows that people with periodontal disease have an increased risk for preterm delivery and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. So, just like your overall general health, you should make sure that your oral health is addressed before you get pregnant too.

Narrator:

Is it true pregnant women have a lot of problems with their gums?

Dr. Keith Eddleman, MD:

There's an increased amount of blood flow and vascularization that occurs during pregnancy. Some of the hormones that stimulate blood vessel growth in other areas of the body can stimulate the growth of blood vessels in the gums. They tend to bleed a little bit more. So if you started off with gums that are in not great shape, and then you add that on to it, many women can have bleeding problems in their gums while they are pregnant.