Smoking while pregnant ‘can cause dental problems for children’

Women who continue to smoke while pregnant may be increasing the likelihood of their children experiencing dental problems.

This is according to a new study from the University of Otago, which indicated that women who smoke more than ten cigarettes a day during pregnancy are much more likely to give birth to babies who will fail to grow all their teeth.

The condition is known as hypodontia, and sees children failing to develop up to six permanent teeth – usually the lateral incisors and premolars.

For this study, 83 children with hypodontia were compared to 253 children without, with mothers asked to report their active and passive smoking exposure, as well as alcohol and caffeine consumption, during pregnancy.

No significant associations were seen between alcohol or caffeinated drinks and hypodontia, but the more cigarettes a mother reported smoking during pregnancy, the greater the likelihood of the child being affected by hypodontia.

Study leader Professor Mauro Farella, of the University of Otago's school of dentistry, said: "This latest research further reinforces the importance of women seeking support to quit smoking when they are pregnant."

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