MORE than 30 per cent of pregnant women in the country have gingivitis, an infection that causes swelling and tenderness of the gum.
This was revealed by the oral health department at the Labasa Hospital after a group of dental officials visited mothers admitted at the ante-natal ward yesterday.
Doctor Zia Tuiyasawa said women were likely to develop gingivitis during pregnancy and this resulted in bleeding of the gums while brushing.
"This infection can affect the supporting tissues that hold teeth in place because mothers usually bleed a little when they brush their teeth," Dr Tuiyasawa said.
"We advise mothers to brush their teeth using fluoridated toothpastes twice a day and floss it once a day.
"They should also limit the consumption of food that contains a lot of sugar and drink a lot of water or low-fat milk because these types of foods and drinks benefit the unborn baby," she said.