Oral Health Care: Pregnancy through Infancy

Oral health is a universal need for all individuals. The mouth is viewed as the mirror of the body and the portal to good health. Pregnancy is an exclusive time in a woman¿s life and is characterized by complex physiological changes. These changes can unfavorably affect the oral health during pregnancy. Improving the oral health of pregnant women prevents complications of dental diseases during pregnancy, has the potential to decrease early childhood caries and may reduce preterm and low birth weight deliveries. A right step at the right time is the need of hour Hence, an effective timely intervention in terms of oral health promotion and disease prevention can improve the oral health for a long time. Prenatal or perinatal and infant oral health care is therefore, of utmost importance. An early dental intervention using preventive strategies or programs starting during pregnancy and infancy proofed will be efficient with respect to the prevention of oral diseases, specifically caries.