Premature Labor And Dental Health — Are They Related? – 7090th Edition
Every pregnant mother hopes she will give birth to a healthy baby. One factor to a healthy baby is being carried to full term. A series of recent studies over the past ten years has suggested premature births may be associated with poor oral health. Indications from these studies suggest that bacteria in the amniotic fluids, vaginal infections, and gum disease may produce hormones that initiate the onset of labor.
What The Study Has To Say
The University of North Carolina conducted a study with the assistance of 850 pregnant women, both before and after birth. They found that women with gum disease are more likely to give birth prematurely by 7 times compared with those that had healthy gums. Premature birth is often associated with respiratory problems, low birth weight, and even death. Additional studies need to be conducted to draw a complete conclusion, but it appears that gum disease in the mother may be just as dangerous to an unborn child as is the use of tobacco products and alcohol.
Good Oral Health Is A Good Beginning
Even when women attempt to routinely establish good oral health, preventing tooth decay and gum disease is even more important when pregnant. You will want to increase the amount of time and frequency you floss and brush each day. There are several over the counter fluoride treatments and sealants that can be used. You may want to consult with your dentist before getting pregnant to establish an oral hygiene routine and to perhaps book an extra exam or cleaning appointment. This will help in keeping tartar buildup under control, which often leads to more serious gum diseases, therefore, reducing your chances of the problems associated with premature births and dental issues.
Small bumps along the gum line are more serious concern. Dentist and medical professionals suspect this overgrowth of gum tissue between the teeth is caused by a build-up of plaque. Often times, surgery is the only viable solution, but with pregnancy as a factor, the patient usually is forced to postpone the treatment until after the birth.
There’s More Than Dental Concerns
Although plaque build-up and related gum diseases are a major concern for pregnant women, it’s not the only concern they have. As your baby continues to develop, vital minerals and calcium are being transferred from your body to the baby. Although the calcium from your teeth is not directly transferred, you need to make sure that you maintain a certain level of nutrients for your own health. If you have consulted with a prenatal expert, they most likely have prescribed prenatal vitamins that will increase your level of folic acid. At the same time, these prenatal vitamins also contain enough calcium and iron to keep you and your baby healthy during the pregnancy.
Regardless if you choose to see a Lombard dentist, a Miami dentist, or a dental expert anywhere in the country, be sure to inform him or her that you are pregnant and want to discuss how to keep both yourself and your baby safe and away from premature delivery risk. It’s a win/win situation for all concerned as you receive the professional care from your dentist, reducing the chance of gum disease and reducing the chance of premature labor.
Christine O’Kelly is an author for Grove Dental Group, a group of Chicago area oral care professionals including a Lombard dentist. For those in need of a dentist, Downers Grove patients and those throughout the region have access to the group’s highly knowledgeable dental experts and the latest in dental technologies.
Article Source: Premature Labor And Dental Health — Are They Related?