Most expectant mothers understand that eating well, taking prenatal vitamins and getting adequate rest are important for a healthy pregnancy. But did you know that maintaining good oral health also is vital for both mom and baby?
Research links gum disease with pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes, including gestational diabetes, premature babies, and low birthweight babies. Getting oral health care can help prevent these problems, improving health for moms and babies.
Improved oral health can also lower medical costs for expectant mothers, according to a United Concordia study published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Pregnant women who received treatment for their gum disease saved an average of $2,433 in annual medical costs.
Getting oral disease treated during pregnancy can also improve babies’ oral health. New moms pass cavity-causing bacteria to their infants through kisses and sharing food. If moms are free from these bacteria, their babies are more likely to avoid decay.
Oral Health Watch supports efforts to expand access to dental care for lower income moms-to-be, including increasing reimbursement rates for dental providers serving this population.
As demonstrated by the state’s nationally recognized Access to Baby & Child Dentistry program, the targeted enhanced rates are expected to entice more dentists to treat pregnant women. Improved access to oral health care for pregnant women could result in nearly $13 million in medical cost savings over the biennium.
Oral Health Watch
6 hours ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
9 hours ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative oral health care is highly effective and saves money, sparing people from needless pain and expensive hospital emergency department visits that don't have the equipment or trained staff to address the root causes of oral disease. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative oral health care is highly effective and saves money, sparing people from needless pain and expensive hospital emergency department visits that don't have the equipment or trained staff to address the root causes of oral disease. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
An overwhelming majority of public health organizations, including the Cleveland Clinic, support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective, equitable and beneficial way to improve oral health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
An overwhelming majority of public health organizations, including the @clevelandclinic, support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective, equitable and beneficial way to improve oral health. #teethmatter