Gum Disease Linked to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Gum Disease Linked to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Female patients who present with periodontal diseases and become pregnant face greater risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth than those with healthy oral conditions, conclude researchers at the University of Michigan. The
Gum Disease Linked to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Female patients who present with periodontal diseases and become pregnant face greater risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth than those with healthy oral conditions, conclude researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The study, “Associations Between Periodontal Disease and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes,” sought to highlight the affect of periodontal diseases on mothers-to-be and their unborn children.
The research team noted the majority of pregnant women develop “pregnancy gingivitis,” primarily due to changes in hormone levels. Manifesting as anaerobic bacteria that infest pockets surrounding dentition, the condition, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible tissue damage. The bacteria may even infiltrate the bloodstream. Once this occurs, both the mother and unborn child can be afflicted with systemic inflammation, the study suggests.
Untreated periodontal diseases can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (delivery prior to 37 weeks) and low birth weight, the researchers report. Because 1 out of every 8 children are born prematurely, the negative effects of periodontal diseases on pregnancy is cause for concern. Also worrisome was the detection of periodontal pathogens in the amniotic fluid, placenta, and umbilical cord of prematurely born children.
Clinical trials, studies and reports have made a connection between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes, although the team notes this link has not been unequivocally proven. As dental researchers continue to find scientific evidence of this connection, adverse pregnancy outcomes can be avoided through proper care during pregnancy, the study concludes. The report also states, “research has demonstrated that non-surgical periodontal treatment is effective in reducing levels of periodontal diseases in pregnancy. Furthermore, it is established that provision of such treatment is safe for both the mother and child.”
