Having A Baby? See Your Dentist, Advises Doctor

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Ready to have a baby? It's time to pencil in a checkup... with your dentist. Oral care is probably not first on the priority list when it comes to planning a pregnancy. But ask a doctor who has helped about 6,500 women bring their new bundles of joy into the world - including his fair share on camera - and he'll tell you that taking care of teeth is key in helping ensure overall health.

High-risk pregnancy specialist Dr. Charles Hux, featured on the television series "A Baby Story," on TLC said if a woman has had dental problems in the past, she definitely should see a dentist prior to the start of pregnancy. "Even if she hasn't had problems with her teeth, it's important to have them checked to ensure there isn't any work that needs to be done, as dental problems and decay can result in high risk of premature labour and delivery," said Dr. Hux.

"That's from infection that gets into the bloodstream from the oral cavity into the gums," said Hux in an interview from central New Jersey. "If you have bacteria and you have a toothache and some sort of oral problem it's a very common complication that the bacteria from your mouth will go right into your bloodstream. It's not only dangerous for pregnancy, it's very dangerous for progressive heart disease," Dr. Hux added. "It's associated with much earlier onset of severe - and perhaps sometimes fatal - heart disease by having teeth that are not taken care of."