Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

Research has shown that periodontal disease in expectant mothers exposes their unborn child to a variety of risks, especially if they also happen to have diabetes.

Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increases the risk of expectant mothers to develop gingivitis and periodontitis. These periodontal issues have been linked by many research studies to preeclampsia, low birth weight of the baby, and premature birth. Expectant women should seek immediate treatment for periodontal disease in order to reduce the risk of pre-natal and post-natal complications.

Reasons for the Connection

There are many different reasons why periodontal disease may affect the health of the mother and her unborn child:

• Prostaglandin – Periodontal disease appears to elevate levels of prostaglandin in mothers who are suffering from more advanced forms of the condition. Prostaglandin is a labor-inducing compound found in one of the oral bacteria strains associated with periodontitis. Elevated levels of prostaglandin can cause the mother to give birth prematurely and deliver a baby with a low birth weight.
  
  
• C - reactive protein (CRP) – This protein, linked to heart disease, has recently been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia and premature birth. Periodontal infections elevate C-reactive protein levels and amplify the body’s natural inflammatory response.  Periodontal bacteria may enter the bloodstream causing the liver to produce CRP which leads to inflamed arteries as well as possible blood clots.  These inflammatory effects can then lead to blocked arteries causing strokes or heart attacks.
  
  
• Bacteria spread – The bacteria which colonize in the gum pockets can readily travel through the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body.  In pregnant women, research has found that oral bacteria and associated pathogens have colonized in the internal mammary glands and coronary arteries.

Diagnosis and Treatment

There are many safe, non surgical treatment options available for pregnant women. It is of paramount importance to halt the progress of periodontal disease in order to increase the chances of a safe and healthy delivery.

Initially, the dentist will assess the exact condition of the gums and underlying bone in order to make a diagnosis. Scaling and root planing are two common non-surgical procedures used to rid the tooth-root surfaces of calculus (tartar) and remove the bacterial toxins from the gum pockets.

The risks of pregnancy complications caused by periodontal disease may be reduced by as much as 50%, and treatment will alleviate many unpleasant and harmful effects associated with gingivitis and periodontal infection.

Dentists can provide guidance to pregnant women regarding effective home care, which can reduce risks that may affect her and her child’s health. Risks of periodontal disease can be vastly reduced by proper home care, smoking cessation, dietary changes and the ingestion of supplementary vitamins.

If you have any questions or concerns about periodontal disease and its affect on pregnancy, please ask your dentist.