Frequently Asked Questions

Gum Disease (Periodontitis)

Date Posted: 1/1/2002

Question My mother lost her teeth when she was pregnant. Will that affect me?

Answer There is no reason why a pregnancy should cause you to lose your teeth unless you ignore them totally. During pregnancy the gums become more sensitive to bacterial irritation and may show an increased inflammation response. The type of bacteria around the teeth may also change to a type more associated with the cause of periodontitis. It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular dental checks during pregnancy. Periodontitis can show a family tendency. So if a mother or father has periodontitis then there is an increased risk for their children to have periodontitis. Regular dental checks for periodontitis are even more important for those at higher risk for periodontitis.

More questions in this category:

Gum Disease Introduction
What is gum disease?
What causes periodontal disease?
What are the most common forms of periodontal disease?
Can gum disease be treated successfully?
My gums bleed. Is that OK?
My mother lost her teeth when she was pregnant. Will that affect me?
Who gets periodontitis?
What are some of the warning signs of periodontal disease?
What can you do?