Oral health and pregnancy: a review.

Pregnancy is a delicate condition involving complex physical and physiological changes. In recent times, there has been a greater focus on the oral health of pregnant women. Emerging evidence has shown that periodontal disease may be associated with preterm, low birthweight (LBW) babies. This has caught the attention of prenatal care providers, who often look to the dental community for information about the oral health aspects of pregnancy. Therefore, dental care providers should be well informed and better able to understand the management of different oral health conditions typically seen during pregnancy. In addition, prenatal care providers should forge a link with oral health care providers to prevent adverse outcomes. This article summarizes the oral health conditions associated with pregnancy.