Proper Oral Care for You and Your Baby

Pregnancy and welcoming a newborn baby can be an exciting time. It’s easy to be busy making plans and preparations, but one aspect of your health not always discussed during this time is making sure you keep up with good dental care.

Good dental care. Gum disease — also known as periodontal disease — is an ongoing bacterial infection that causes swelling. It can harm the gums and bone that support the teeth. According to the CDC, about 60 to 75% of pregnant women have an early stage of the disease called gingivitis. If not treated at this stage, it can become a full-blown infection.

Gum Disease and Pregnancy

Any infection during pregnancy is a concern, and that includes infections of the gums. According to the CDC, gum disease is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight. Watch for the warning signs, like red and swollen gums, bleeding when you brush or floss or bad breath that doesn’t go away.

Often, women don’t know they have gum disease because there might not be any signs until the disease is advanced. The best way to avoid getting gum disease is to practice good daily oral hygiene and see your dentist. Dental providers know what to look for and can successfully treat the disease before any complications occur.

Prevention is Good

The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good daily oral hygiene. Use these tips to help fend off gum disease:

• Brush your teeth at least twice each day.
• Floss every day to remove food your toothbrush may miss.
• Eat healthy, nutritious foods.
• Avoid sugary snacks.
• Visit your dentist twice a year.

A baby’s health starts in the womb. Just as it’s vital for expectant mothers to eat healthy foods, proper oral care makes a difference, too.

When to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth

Good health habits should start as soon as your baby is born. Did you know parents and others can spread bacteria into a child’s mouth simply by kissing them on the lips or sharing a spoon? This can cause tooth decay. Baby teeth are fragile, so start your child’s oral health program even before their teeth come in.

Here are steps to help:

• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
• Clean your baby’s teeth with a cloth. Use a soft toothbrush as soon as teeth begin showing through the gums.
• Limit sugared drinks.
• Take your baby in for a dental exam at 12 months.

Talk to your child’s dentist. Together, you can create a care plan that’s right for your child.

For more tips on oral health or to check your plan benefits for details about dental coverage, visit our website. Log in to or sign up for your member account online or through the BCBSMT app. 

Once in your account online, select the "Coverage” tab. Click on "Coverage and Benefits" and then on “Dental” for details. Or, when in the app, go to the “Current Plans” tab and choose “Dental,” and then view the details under “Coverage.”

Sources: Promoting Oral Health for Babies,  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2025; Talking to Pregnant Women about Oral Health,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024