Health Department: Dental Care Important For Expecting Mothers

From the Will County Health Department:

JOLIET, IL — “What goes into your mouth becomes part of the baby you are carrying.” That’s what Will County Health Department Community Health Center Dental Program Manager Kimberly Nay wants young mothers to remember.

Community Health Center Dental Director Dr. Sangita Garg encourages all pregnant women to seek dental exams and treatment. And Nay added that due to special state funding, they will likely be eligible to have their checkup covered.

“Pregnancy is an exciting period during a woman’s life,” said Dr. Garg. "But it is very important to have good dental health for both the mother and the baby. It is optimal to get essential dental treatment done during 13 to 21 weeks of gestation. The Will County Community Health Center dental clinic is equipped with digital x-rays, electronic dental and medical records, and dental hygienists on staff.”

Nay says expectant mothers just upstairs from the dental department at the Community Health Center, being treated by a staff Ob-Gyn, should get a referral to come down for a dental exam. She also mentioned that expectant mothers being served at the Will County WIC program (just across the parking lot from the Community Health Center) need to make their way over for this critical dental care. “WIC’s mission is ‘healthy mothers, healthy babies.’ And the mother’s dental health is a major part in that.”

Will County Health Department WIC coordinator Pat Krause agrees with that very much. “If a pregnant woman has dental problems and cannot eat properly, then she is not getting the proper nutrition. And therefore, her baby is not either.”

WIC breast feeding coordinator Alissa McCormick stated that something happens during the second trimester of a pregnancy that ironically often discourages mothers from brushing and flossing, when it’s of utmost importance.

“During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur that make your gums much more sensitive. Regular brushing and flossing can cause some bleeding. So sometimes expectant mothers become scared and stop properly caring for their teeth.”

That, McCormick says, is the worst thing they could do. “Because of greater blood flow during pregnancy, any infection in your mouth can affect the rest of the body more quickly; which can then increase the risk of preterm labor or a miscarriage.”

The Will County Community Health Center Dental Department is planning to put together a pamphlet, reminding expectant mothers of these dangers. And as mentioned previously in this article, the pamphlet will also inform them that despite their insurance coverage situation, they may be eligible for dental exam coverage because they are pregnant due to special state funding.

Community Health Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Byrd added that primary care providers are educated on the Smiles for Life program, a collaboration of primary health and dental providers that promotes the idea of how dental health affects the entire body.