Gum Infection During Pregnancy

When some women become pregnant, they find they prefer to eat smaller meals, more frequently throughout the day. Following this dietary pattern increases your risk for gum infection and tooth decay because you're constantly exposing your teeth to food, especially the sugars and starches that set the stage for bacterial infection. After each small meal, drink or rinse with water. Drinking water throughout the day keeps up the saliva level in your mouth, which can help prevent tooth decay. Rinsing and spitting removes food particles from teeth. In some cases, medications cause dry mouth or other oral health problems. Ask your health care professional if there are substitutes for the medications that you are currently taking. Perhaps another brand name, or a different dosage, can help.