Researchers studied 105 pregnant women and 53 new mothers to understand their dental health and habits. They found that many pregnant women experienced gum problems like bleeding and swelling, and most didn’t visit the dentist regularly. After birth, many mothers still had dental issues but didn’t get help. The study also looked at babies’ early dental care and found that parents often shared saliva with babies, which can spread cavity-causing bacteria. The good news? When mothers attended educational courses about dental health during and after pregnancy, 88% found them very helpful. This research shows that teaching pregnant women about teeth care is important for both their health and their babies’ health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether pregnant women take care of their teeth, what dental problems they have, and how their habits affect their newborn babies’ oral health
  • Who participated: 105 pregnant women who attended dental education classes, with 53 of them answering follow-up questions after giving birth. All were part of a health education program in Italy from June 2023 to December 2024
  • Key finding: About half of pregnant women experienced gum bleeding (52.4%) and swelling (40%), yet most didn’t visit a dentist regularly. After birth, over half of mothers still had dental problems, but only about one-third got dental care. Additionally, about half of parents shared saliva with their babies, which can pass cavity germs
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to be, regular dental check-ups are important for your health and your baby’s future dental health. Avoid sharing saliva with babies (like sharing utensils or pre-chewing food), and consider taking prenatal dental education classes, which most mothers found very helpful

The Research Details

This study looked at a group of pregnant women and new mothers at one point in time to understand their dental habits and health. Researchers gave 105 pregnant women a dental exam and asked them questions about their teeth, gums, eating habits, and dental care. Later, 53 of these same women answered more questions after they had their babies. The questions covered topics like whether they had gum problems, if they visited the dentist, how they cleaned their teeth, and information about their newborns’ early health and habits. All participants were part of an educational program that taught them about dental health before and after pregnancy.

This type of study helps researchers understand real-world dental health problems that pregnant women face and how those problems might affect babies. By asking women the same questions at different times (before and after birth), researchers could see how pregnancy and childbirth affected their dental health. Understanding these patterns helps doctors and dentists create better education programs and identify which pregnant women need extra dental care

This study is descriptive, meaning it describes what the researchers found rather than testing whether a treatment works. The sample size is moderate (105 women initially, 53 for follow-up), which means the results give us useful information but may not apply to all pregnant women everywhere. The study was well-organized with clear questions and free dental exams, which strengthens the reliability of the findings. However, because only about half of the initial participants answered follow-up questions, we don’t know if the women who responded were different from those who didn’t

What the Results Show

The study found that gum problems are very common during pregnancy. More than half of the pregnant women (52.4%) reported that their gums bled, and 40% noticed their gums were swollen. These are signs of gum inflammation, which can happen because pregnancy hormones affect how the body responds to bacteria in the mouth. Despite these problems, only about half of the women (51.4%) had visited a dentist in the year before pregnancy, and most (58.1%) didn’t use floss or other tools to clean between their teeth. After giving birth, the problems didn’t go away—51.9% of mothers still experienced dental issues. However, only about one-third of these mothers with problems actually went to the dentist for help, suggesting that many women don’t prioritize dental care after having a baby.

The study also examined habits that could affect babies’ dental health. Researchers found that about half of parents (51.9%) engaged in salivary exchange with their babies—this means sharing food, utensils, or pre-chewing food for babies. This habit is concerning because it can pass cavity-causing bacteria from parents to babies. On a positive note, 88.5% of mothers who attended the dental education courses found them very useful and helpful. Additionally, most participants remained interested in dental health and stayed connected with dental facilities after the courses ended, suggesting the education had a lasting impact. However, only 7.69% of newborns had a dental check-up after birth, indicating that early dental care for babies is not yet common practice

This research confirms what other studies have shown: gum disease is more common during pregnancy than at other times, and many pregnant women don’t receive regular dental care. The finding that mothers don’t seek dental help after birth, even when they have problems, aligns with previous research showing that dental care is often overlooked during the postpartum period. The study adds new information about how common salivary exchange is among parents and babies, and it provides evidence that educational courses can successfully increase awareness about dental health during pregnancy and after birth

The study has several limitations to consider. First, only 53 of the original 105 women answered the follow-up questions after birth, so we don’t know if the mothers who responded were different from those who didn’t. Second, the study was conducted in one region of Italy, so the results may not apply to pregnant women in other countries or cultures with different healthcare systems. Third, the study relied on women’s memories and self-reporting of their dental habits and problems, which may not always be completely accurate. Finally, the study didn’t include a comparison group of pregnant women who didn’t attend the education courses, so we can’t be completely certain that the courses caused the positive outcomes

The Bottom Line

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: (1) Schedule a dental check-up before or early in pregnancy—this is safe and important (Confidence: High); (2) Tell your dentist you’re pregnant so they can provide appropriate care (Confidence: High); (3) Brush twice daily and floss daily to prevent gum disease (Confidence: High); (4) Avoid sharing saliva with babies through shared utensils, pre-chewing food, or mouth contact (Confidence: Moderate); (5) Consider attending prenatal dental education classes if available, as they appear to increase awareness and engagement with dental care (Confidence: Moderate); (6) Schedule a dental check-up after giving birth, even if you don’t think you have problems (Confidence: Moderate)

These findings are most relevant to pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, new mothers, and healthcare providers who work with pregnant women and new mothers. Pediatricians and family doctors should be aware that dental health during pregnancy affects babies’ future oral health. Parents and caregivers should understand the risks of salivary exchange with babies. Healthcare systems and public health programs should consider incorporating dental education into prenatal and postpartum care. Women with existing gum disease or those at high risk for dental problems should pay special attention to these recommendations

Gum problems during pregnancy can develop gradually throughout pregnancy, so dental care should start early. The benefits of improved dental hygiene habits may take several weeks to show (reduced bleeding and swelling typically improve within 2-4 weeks of better cleaning). The long-term benefits for babies’ dental health develop over years as they grow and develop their baby teeth and permanent teeth. Educational courses showed immediate positive effects, with 88% of mothers finding them useful right away, and many remained engaged with dental care months later

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily dental hygiene habits by logging: (1) Times you brushed teeth (goal: 2 times daily), (2) Days you flossed or used interdental cleaners (goal: daily), (3) Any gum symptoms like bleeding or swelling (note frequency and severity), (4) Dental appointment dates and findings. For new mothers, also track whether salivary exchange occurred and any postpartum dental problems
  • Use the app to set reminders for brushing and flossing, especially important during pregnancy when gum disease risk increases. Create a checklist for preparing for dental visits (list questions to ask, symptoms to report). Set a goal to schedule a dental check-up if you haven’t had one in the past year. If you’re a new mother, use the app to remind yourself to schedule a postpartum dental visit and to avoid salivary exchange habits with your baby
  • Track dental health metrics weekly: gum bleeding (yes/no), gum swelling (yes/no), flossing frequency, and dental visit completion. Create monthly summaries to identify patterns in gum health related to your habits. For pregnant women, monitor changes in gum health across trimesters. For new mothers, track how postpartum dental problems change over time and whether they improve with treatment. Use the app to share progress with your dentist at appointments

This research describes dental health patterns in pregnant women and new mothers but does not provide personalized medical advice. Pregnancy affects dental health, and dental care during pregnancy is safe and important. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or a new mother, consult with your dentist and obstetrician about your individual dental care needs. Do not delay necessary dental treatment due to pregnancy—untreated dental infections can pose risks to both mother and baby. This study was conducted in Italy and may not fully apply to all populations or healthcare systems. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare providers regarding your specific situation.