Oral Health During Pregnancy: Common Conditions, Barriers to Dental Care and Clinical Management - A Narrative Review

Objectives: This narrative review aimed to summarize current evidence on oral health during pregnancy, focusing on common oral conditions, barriers to dental care, dental treatment and its safety, periodontal care, prevention and oral health education. Methods: Full-text publications were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2000 and 2026 were considered. Search terms covered pregnancy, oral health, gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries, dental erosion, barriers to dental care, dental treatment, dental radiography, local anesthesia, medications, periodontal treatment, and oral health education. Original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, relevant review articles, clinical guidelines, and professional recommendations were included. Key Findings: Common oral health problems during pregnancy include gingivitis, periodontal disease, dental caries, and dental erosion. Changes in diet, oral hygiene, vomiting, and the oral environment may contribute to some of these conditions. Periodontitis has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in observational studies, although a causal relationship has not been established. Necessary dental treatment, including radiography, local anesthesia, restorative and endodontic treatment, and extractions, can generally be performed safely during pregnancy when clinically indicated. Many pregnant women nevertheless delay or avoid dental care because of safety concerns, misconceptions, financial and organizational barriers, and gaps in knowledge among patients and healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Oral health should be included as part of prenatal care. Prevention, timely treatment, patient education, and closer cooperation between dental and prenatal care providers may improve oral health and access to dental care during pregnancy.