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Periodontal
Disease and
Pregnancy
Researchers have
shown that
periodontal disease
in expectant mothers
actually exposes
their unborn child
to many different
risks; particularly
if they also happen
to be diabetes
sufferers.
Periodontal disease
generally begins
with a bacterial
infection in the gum
(gingiva) tissue,
which progressively
destroys the tissue
and the underlying
bone. If left
untreated, the
bacterial infection
causes an
inflammatory
reaction in the
body, which can
significantly deepen
the gum pockets
(space between the
teeth and gums) and
forces the gum and
jawbone to recede.
Eventually, the
progressive nature
of periodontal
disease causes the
teeth to become
loose and unstable,
and eventually fall
out.
Pregnancy causes
many hormonal
changes which
increase the risk of
the expectant mother
to develop
gingivitis
(inflammation of the
gum tissue) and
periodontal disease.
These oral problems
have been linked in
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 the
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, which has
been previously
linked to heart
disease, has now
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
As always,
prevention is better
than treatment. A
three monthly visit
to the DentalSPA
hygienist is
essential for the
prevention and early
detection of any
possible pregnancy
related oral
complications.
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, your
dentist will assess
the exact condition
of the gums and
jawbone in order to
make a precise
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 advantages to
the pregnant woman
are plentiful. The
risks of pregnancy
complications caused
by periodontal
disease are reduced
by as much as 50%,
and these treatments
will alleviate many
unpleasant and
harmful effects
associated with
gingivitis and
periodontal
infection.
We can provide
dental education and
recommendations to
pregnant women on
effective home care
which can reduce
risks that may
affect you and/or
your child?s health.
Risks of periodontal
disease can be
vastly reduced by
proper home care,
smoking cessation,
dietary changes and
taking supplementary
vitamins as
prescribed by your
pregnancy health
care provider. |
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