Pregnancy can be a beautiful and rewarding experience, affecting all aspects of a woman’s health. One frequently overlooked aspect of pregnancy is its impact on periodontal wellness. If you are considering having children, you should be aware of the clear connection between pregnancy and oral health, including the ways in which unchecked periodontal disease can increase the risk of premature birth and other complications.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease refers to an infection of the soft tissues that hold the teeth in place, which include both the gums and the underlying bone. Patients who have gum disease have experienced damage to these tissues due to a proliferation of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Patients who have periodontal disease may experience a wide range of symptoms, including redness and inflammation of the gums, bleeding when they brush and floss, and in some cases even the loosening of adult teeth.
With the proper treatment, periodontal diseases can be managed and reversed. When left untreated, the bacteria that causes periodontal disease can spread through the body, leading to a host of other complications.
Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you may experience an increase in their risk of periodontal disease. Elevated hormone levels can often yield an increased accumulation of dental plaque. As your oral microbiome changes, conditions become more favorable to the spread of harmful bacteria.
A growing body of evidence suggests that those who experience periodontal disease during pregnancy also face an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Some of these outcomes include preterm labor, babies born with a low birth weight, and restrictions on the baby’s growth.
What is the connection between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes? The research is not fully clear, but scientists have conjectured that the bacteria that proliferates in the mouth can spread through the body, including into the fetoplacental unit, affecting the growing baby in unwelcome ways.
Maintaining Oral Health During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, it is important to understand the increased risk of gum disease, and to be vigilant to the warning signs. It is also important to prioritize oral hygiene, which can be a significant way to protect the life of your growing baby.
Maintain Regular Oral Hygiene Habits
If you are pregnant, it is especially important to remain dutiful in oral care, brushing and flossing thoroughly at least twice daily.
Continue Receiving Regular Dental Care
You should maintain your routine dental appointments throughout the pregnancy and ask your dentist about the need for a periodontal health screening.
Practice Sound Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet, while drinking plenty of water, is important for moderating and balancing oral bacteria, potentially reducing the risk of infection.
Make Periodontal Disease a Top Priority During Pregnancy
Periodontal disease is never welcome, but it can be an especially acute risk during pregnancy. Awareness and prevention are key, and seeing a periodontal health professional can be especially helpful. Seek ongoing care in the Tacoma area by scheduling a visit with MK Periodontics and Implants at (253) 752-6336.
