Delaying preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental treatment during pregnancy may result in:

• A. More complex problems
• B. No problems
• C. Immediate improvement
• D. Lower cost care

Answer: (A)

Delaying preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental care during pregnancy allows problems to progress rather than stay stable. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can make gums more susceptible to inflammation and infection, and decay left untreated tends to advance. What starts as a small cavity or mild gum irritation can become a larger cavity, a tooth needing root canal or extraction, or more extensive gum disease requiring deep cleaning or surgery. That progression means more complex, longer, and often more costly treatment later on. In contrast, timely, appropriate care can manage issues before they escalate, reducing the need for invasive procedures and associated risks.