Today’s care for a better tomorrow: a systematic review of dental care in pregnancy

Introduction: Pregnancy is a special state during a woman’s life, which is associated with a myriad of complex anatomical, physiologic, metabolic, emotional and physiological changes. There are changes observed in cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal system as well as changes in oral health and increased susceptibility to oral infections. Majority of pregnant women have been reported to experience oral changes yet they do not seek or are advised not to seek dental care as a part of routine prenatal care. Dentists also needlessly withhold or delay treatment of pregnant patients due to unrealistic fear of injuring patient, fetus or fear of litigations. It is important on the part of stomatologists to understand that pregnancy is not a disease wherein the patients are denied or deferred treatment. Thus, the aim of this article is to emphasize on the significance of oral care during pregnancy and motivate oral health care providers to provide timely and appropriate dental care. Methods: Articles were searched through keywords like dental care during pregnancy, drug safety, oral prenatal care, dentist’s attitude towards treating pregnant patients. Original research article, case reports, randomised control trials were searched through Pubmed and medline search between 2001 and 2015 Results: Generalised lack in awareness about oral manifestations of pregnancy was seen. It was seen that dentist’s usually defer treatment of pregnant patients. Conclusions: Every gestational woman should be encouraged to include dental visits in her routine prenatal care. Dental physicians should team up with other health care providers and keep themselves abreast with the updated guidelines in providing oral care.