Scared of going to the dentist while pregnant, one of my pregolicious friends weighed the pros and cons of the appointment and decided to follow through with the visit. I applauded her efforts as pregnancy gingivitis is common and treatable.

As many women's entire bodies swell with the baby making process, so do their gums. Your Pregnancy Week by Week and Oral B have teamed up to provide a "Guide To Your Oral Health." Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by an increased hormone level, which may cause extra plaque leading to swollen, red, or even bleeding gums.

To see what steps you can take to prevent pregnancy gingivitis, read more.

According to the Oral B guide, some things you can do to help prevent it are:

• Brush your teeth and gums often to help massage the gums.
• Floss to help remove plaque and keep your gums healthy.
• Rinse with an alcohol–free mouthwash to kill germs.

While tending to your babe-to-be, don't neglect those pearly whites.