Current understanding of maternal and fetal physiology indicates that the benefits of providing dental care during pregnancy far outweigh potential risks. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, including needed dental radiographs and use of local anesthesia, are highly beneficial and can be undertaken during pregnancy with no additional fetal or maternal risk when compared to the risk of not providing care. The American Academy of Periodontology, for example, urges oral health professionals to provide preventive services as early in pregnancy as possible and to provide treatment for acute infection or sources of sepsis irrespective of the stage of pregnancy.

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