Oral Health can be Compromised During Pregnancy

It used to be conventional wisdom that a woman would lose a tooth for each child that she had. Thankfully with modern dentistry, this is no longer true, but there’s some factual basis for it. Your teeth and gums are affected by pregnancy, just as other tissues in your body.

Managing Perio During Pregnancy

The more we learn about periodontal (gum) disease, the more of a threat it appears to pose to the entire body, not just the mouth. It’s especially true during pregnancy when about half of all women experience pregnancy gingivitis—an early, mild, easily treatable form of gum disease.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, studies confirm the relationship between gum disease and premature and low birth weight babies. In fact, pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby born too soon and too small. The culprit appears to be a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria.

The good news is gum disease and especially gingivitis can be stopped if found and treated early. That’s why your pregnancy checklist should include a visit to the dentist.

Improve Your Chances of Success!

If you’re expecting to be expecting, managing infected gums may improve your chances of getting pregnant.

New studies show that chronic bacterial infections found in periodontal disease may affect reproduction success—even the outcome of infertility treatment.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “meticulous oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, perhaps at the beginning of each menstrual cycle to ensure the presence of healthy gums” contribute to successful infertility treatments.