Hyderabad, May 19: It’s commonly known that risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and drug use contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birth weight.
Women are conscious of this and try to maintain healthy habits that will benefit the mother and baby.
However, evidence is mounting that suggests a new risk factor – periodontal disease.
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.
Oral health during pregnancy should be made a priority for the health of the mother and baby and to reduce the risk of premature birth that can affect the health of the baby.
More research is needed to confirm the exactly how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes.
It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor.
Furthermore, data suggests that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.
There is also some speculation on whether tooth-decay causing bacteria may pass on from the mother to the child.
All infections are a cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby.
Early labor means pre-term babies who are vulnerable to various conditions including vision and hearing loss, mental retardation, and premature death. Therefore, it is very important to control the levels of harmful bacteria in the mouth during pregnancy.
Gingivitis during pregnancy is a common feature as hormonal changes are known to trigger off differential reaction to oral irritants and cause gum diseases.
Studies conducted on pregnant and non-pregnant women have revealed that during the first and second trimesters, pregnant women may show signs of swollen gums that bleed easily.
However the early signs of gum disease during pregnancy appear to be reversible.
Women are advised to get their teeth examined before they plan to conceive, any existing oral problems should be treated in time. It’s imperative to follow a complete oral care regime.
Brushing must be followed by an antimicrobial mouthwash twice a day. A toothbrush can only reach 25% of the mouth for complete 100% protection from oral problems the use of a mouthwash is essential.
Eat health and follow a complete oral care regime of brushing, followed by mouthwash and flossing.
(The author is the professor of Periodontology at Santosh University and secretary general of the International Clinical Dental Research Organisation)
–Agencies