Test Your Knowledge on Birth Outcomes and Oral Health
Although optimal oral health is critical to the overall health of pregnant women and their babies, maternal oral health is often overlooked during prenatal care. As untreated maternal oral conditions can be a major risk factor for health complications in the developing fetus and newborn infant, dental hygienists need to be prepared to help their pregnant patients achieve and maintain good oral health. How does your knowledge stack up on the association between oral health and adverse birth outcomes?
Maternal periodontal disease has been associated with preterm birth, development of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and delivery of low-birth weight (LBW) infants.
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Both periodontal diseases and dental caries are highly prevalent in women of child-bearing age.
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What percentage of United States women have some form of periodontal disease?
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Approximately one out of 10 LBW babies are born prematurely.
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During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels promote an inflammatory response that increases the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontitis.
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There is a lack of definitive research concerning the causal relationship between periodontitis and preterm births/LBW infants.
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Routine prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, restorative procedures, and local anesthesia administration should not be performed on women at any time during pregnancy.
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Test Your Knowledge on Birth Outcomes and Oral Health
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Adverse Birth Outcomes and Oral Health
This literature review investigates the evidence surrounding the association between periodontal disease and preterm births and low birth weight.
