Is it Dangerous to Have Gum Disease During Pregnancy?

Gum disease can be hard to live with – the constant gum irritation, and inflammation, and bleeding gums can  nag consistently. But, there may be one other fall out of gum disease that should worry pregnant women.
Studies have indicated that periodontal disease is one of the causes of pre-term births. There is no conclusive evidence however, that the risk of pre term births can be reduced by treating periodontal disease.

Consider these pre term birth facts:

• When a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is referred to as a pre term baby.
• Nearly 12 percent of all babies born in the US are pre term babies.
• Pre term babies usually have low birth weights, less than 2.5 kgs or5.5 pounds.

Extremely low weight pre term babies may not survive after birth. Those that survive may have problems including cerebral palsy, difficulty in breathing, problems with behavior, development and learning.  

Research based statistics show that pre term births are caused:  

• When the pregnant woman has a history of delivering pre term babies
• When the pregnant woman has an unusual cervix or uterus
• When she has an infection during pregnancy
• If she is pregnant with more than one baby
• When she is underweight
• If she has received little or no pre natal care
• Is she smokes or uses  illicit drugs during pregnancy

Pre Term Babies and Gum Disease – is there a Connection?

More than a dozen studies have indicated there is a link between pre term births and periodontal disease. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the link between periodontal disease treatment and pre term births.   So far, there is no conclusive evidence that proves that treating periodontal disease can actually reduce the risk of pre term births.

One line of thinking is that infections caused by periodontal disease may lead to early rupture of birth membranes and resulting pre term birth.  Several studies have come up with inconclusive evince, but a definite pattern connecting the two.

In one study carried out across Mississippi, New York, Kentucky, and Minnesota, researchers failed to prove conclusively that periodontal disease impacted birth outcomes. However, the study did find an unconfirmed pattern which suggested that periodontal treatment reduced the risk of still births and miscarriages.
  
In three other similar studies, two studies found that pregnant women that received periodontal treatment had a lower risk of pre term birth. The third study did not confirm this. 

Though studies remain inconclusive about the link between pre term births and periodontal disease, women planning for pregnancy and every woman in her child bearing age should maintain good oral health.  Studies should be carried out after starting periodontal treatment on women right before conception so as to be able to compare the woman's health before and after conception. 

It is better to maintain good oral health, whether or not oral health affects pregnancy and delivery. In fact, women with healthy mouths tend to give birth to children with healthy mouths. Women of child bearing age should pay attention to oral health, and seek dental treatment early if there is any problem for their sake and for the sake of their baby's future oral health.