Gum Disease during Pregnancy

It is very important for a pregnant woman to keep herself in good health, not just for her own sake but also for the sake of her unborn child. There are certain activities that pose a definite risk to the baby during pregnancy, and these activities include smoking, taking drugs and drinking alcohol. But now there is another risk factor to the baby’s health, and that is periodontal disease.

Research is proving that periodontal disease has an effect on unborn babies. A pregnant woman who has periodontal disease is at a much greater risk of having a premature baby of low birth weight. In fact, the risk is actually seven times greater than if the mother did not have gum disease. Further research will need to be done to ascertain just what the connection is, but it is believed that gum disease may increase biological fluids that can bring on early labor. And if periodontal disease should progress and become more severe during a woman’s pregnancy, the risks increase that the baby will be born prematurely.

It would be wise for a woman who is considering having a child to first have a thorough periodontic examination to rule out gum disease. If periodontal disease is present, it should be treated and effectively cleared up before pregnancy. Any infection within the mother’s body can pose a threat to the baby’s health, and infection of the gums is no exception. Keeping teeth and gums healthy will help both mother and unborn child.

Source: Dentist Torrance

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