Children born to mothers with untreated dental disease during pregnancy are how many times more likely to develop dental disease?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a mother’s oral health can influence her child’s risk of developing dental disease because cariogenic bacteria are often passed from mother to child. When a mother has untreated dental disease, she tends to carry higher levels of bacteria like Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria can be transmitted to the infant through ordinary saliva-sharing interactions (kissing, shared utensils, etc.) during early childhood, leading to earlier colonization of the child’s mouth and a higher chance of caries as teeth come in. Because this early bacterial transmission sets the stage for caries development, children of mothers with untreated dental disease are about three times more likely to develop dental disease themselves. This is a commonly cited risk increase, though exact figures can vary by population. Prevention focuses on improving maternal oral health during pregnancy and reducing early transmission, along with standard preventive care for the child.