Have A Baby, Lose A Tooth

You've heard the saying before, and while it's not necessarily a true statement there's something to be said for proper oral care during pregnancy. Take a look at this New York Daily News article (http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2008/12/07/2008-12-07_caring_for_your_teeth_becomes_more_impor.html), which reports that 50% of pregnant women suffer from pregnancy gingivitis, a type of gum disease.

The article goes on to say that gum disease increases the chance of premature birth and low birth weight, and to suggest that all pregnant women should have a dental exam and teeth cleaning performed by a qualified dentist every three months during pregnancy.

Makes sense. But for those who do not have dental insurance (even if they do have prenatal care and maternity medical insurance), the fees of up to $135 per dentist visit can be too much to bear. Sure, the total price for an initial exam and three cleanings at that price is only $540, but for many women that's a mortgage payment -- and if we all had extra mortgage payments lying around, the U.S. economy wouldn't be in such a crunch.

Gum disease leads to premature birth, which leads to many complications including death. So why is it that a condition that affects half of all pregnant women (and ultimately their babies) does not seem to be a priority? The stakes are high, and it's a shame that many uninsured pregnant women are saddled with a condition that costs so little to prevent simply because they do not have dental coverage.

Learn how you can help prevent premature birth through proper dental care even if you don't have insurance by taking advantage of the free resources at www.maternityhealth.com.

I am PRO MOM!!!
Aaron Bouren
Advocate Aaron