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Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. - American Academy of Periodontology

How the bacteria associated with
periodontal disease enters the womb

F. nucleatum – the bacterium that causes the gum infection – is common in the oral cavity but very uncommon in the vaginal tract. Furthermore, the placenta has been perfected by nature to ward off infections and diseases. So how does the bacterium get into the womb? There are four contributing factors:

More bacteria – When periodontal disease is present in the oral cavity, the number of bacteria there can increase by as much as 10,000 times the original population. In other words, there are more bacteria in your mouth when you have periodontal disease in the first place.

Relaxed immune system – The immune system relaxes slightly during pregnancy so as not to harm the baby.

Leading to even more bacteria – When your immune system isn't working full throttle even more bacteria can grow.

Bleeding gums – When you have periodontal disease your gums are more likely to bleed. When this happens this bacteria can enter the blood stream, travel through the mother's body, and enter the placenta to trigger a preterm birth.

How the Bacteria Harms the Fetus

So the mechanism of how the bacteria actually gets into the womb is explained, but the question remains – why is it able to do harm when the placenta is designed specifically to protect the fetus?

It appears that F. nucleatum targets the placenta and amniotic fluid in particular when the immune system is working below full capacity. The defense systems of the womb are numerous but not infallible and in some cases the bacterium wins the battle and triggers preterm birth.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

The really good thing about this new discovery is that these bacteria enter the blood stream and the womb as a result of a very preventable condition. Periodontal disease can be warded off by simply maintaining good dental hygiene:

  • Visit your dentist regularly.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day (even better: after meals too).
  • The rule that almost everyone has trouble following: floss!
  • A good anti-gum disease mouthwash is also a good idea.

If you follow all of these steps you will have a much better chance of keeping your gums, and your unborn baby, happy and healthy.

Pregnancy and Oral Health – What to Do

If you are thinking about getting pregnant or are already pregnant and concerned about your oral health, make an appointment for a checkup and cleaning with your dentist just to be sure that you don't have periodontal disease. Your dentist will make the same recommendations for good oral hygiene (regular visits, daily brushing and flossing) that he or she always does.

If you do in fact have periodontal disease the best thing to do is find out and treat it as soon as possible. Follow his or her good advice for oral hygiene to get or stay healthy and protect your teeth, gums, and your pregnancy.

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