Get Routine Dental Care Before Pregnancy, March of Dimes Advises

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., APRIL 28, 2004 – Women who are planning to have a baby should see their dentist for a checkup prior to pregnancy, the March of Dimes says.

The March of Dimes comments came in response to an article published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found dental X-rays during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of low birthweight.

“Preterm birth and low birthweight are serious and costly problems in this country,” said Nancy S. Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes.  “The March of Dimes urges all women of childbearing age to take a number of simple steps prior to pregnancy to help ensure the best possible start in life for their future babies.  These include getting a medical checkup, a dental checkup, and taking a multivitamin containing folic acid every day.”

Women who are currently pregnant should tell their dentist and discuss postponing routine dental X-rays until after the baby is born, Dr. Green said.

“Antepartum Dental Radiography and Infant Low Birth Weight,” by Philippe P. Hujoel, Ph.D., and colleagues from the University of Washington, Seattle, appears in JAMA, volume 291, number 16, pages 1987-1993, April 28, 2004.