When a woman becomes pregnant, her physician will coach her on how to stay healthy and safe for the next nine months. The cautions are common -don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, don't overdo it on exercise.

What doctor's need to add to that list is -be fastidious about your dental health.

During pregnancy, many women experience increased sensitivity and puffiness of the gums. Why does this happen? "It's primarily caused by the hormonal changes that are occurring throughout the body," he says.

Pregnancy causes an alteration in the estrogen and progesterone levels that, when coupled with the plaque that is present in the mouth, can cause an exaggerated inflammation of the gums, commonly called Pregnancy Gingivitis.

The best thing you can do, Dr. Steve says, is keep up your dental hygiene routine and the symptoms will clear up after you've had the baby.

Professional dental cleanings twice during pregnancy, as well as frequent daily brushing (three times a day) and flossing will greatly reduce gum swelling, sensitivity, and other related symptoms.

Simple procedures such as getting a filling could be okay for the expectant mom. However, "You don't want to have any major dental work done while you're pregnant," he says. "And we don't recommend having x-rays because of the radiation."

If a pregnant woman is in pain and a major procedure such as a root canal cannot be put off until after the baby is born, Dr. Steve says he and his staff will closely monitor the patient's blood pressure before, during and after the procedure.

" Sometimes we have to weigh the pros and cons in determining whether to do a procedure or not,'1 he says. "Is it worse to let the problem go? If we do, an infection could spread to the baby. II

If they do any major procedures, they use non-epinephrine anesthetics to protect the fetus. This holds true after the baby is born as well if the mother is breast feeding because the anesthesia travels straight into the infant's system.

Most antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, will not put the unborn child at risk, but Dr. Steve does not recommend over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin, and ibuprofen (Advil). And in most cases, acetaminophen medication such as Tylenol can help relieve dental discomfort.

When an expectant mother does have to see the dentist during pregnancy for her regular check-up, the best time to do this is in the second trimester, he says. Elective dental treatment such as small fillings and cosmetic dentistry should be postponed until after the child is born.