PERIODONTAL DISEASE DURING PREGNANCY: What Should I Do?
Recent medical studies of pregnant women with periodontitis found that treatment of the disease with scaling and/or root planing may reduce the likelihood of preterm birth or low birth weight.
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PERIODONTAL DISEASE DURING PREGNANCY:
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you’ve ever had periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, you probably wanted to have it treated right away. As an inflammatory disease affecting the tissues that support the teeth, periodontitis can lead to the loosening or even loss of teeth.
There are additional concerns if you’re pregnant. Bacteria from infections can be carried through the bloodstream to amniotic fluid and tissues. This can cause preterm birth or low birth weight. Preterm babies have a higher risk of neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal complications, stillbirths, and death during the first month after birth.
Periodontitis is usually treated with procedures called scaling and root planing. These procedures, also known as “deep cleaning”, do not involve medication or surgery.
Several medical studies have sought to determine whether scaling and root planing decrease the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The results have varied. To take a closer look at these studies and their conclusions, a team of independent investigators compared the results of seven similar medical trials, involving a total of 2,663 patients. Following are the results.
Average Comparisons
% of Preterm Births % of Low Birth Weight Births
Treatment 9.7% 5.1%
No Treatment 14.7% 8.7%
Frequency of stillbirths was also evaluated: no significant difference between the groups was seen.
Based on these results, published in the March 2009 American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. (open link in new window: http://www.ajog.org), the research team concluded that periodontitis treatment with scaling and/or root planing may reduce the likelihood of preterm birth or low birth weight. This effect seems strongest with tested women with mild to moderate periodontal disease and no past history of preterm labor.
If you are pregnant, you now have two reasons to see your dentist for routine dental care and cleanings: to prevent tooth loss from periodontal disease and to prevent preterm labor. If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, your dentist should consult with Dr. Garofalo about the condition and it should be promptly treated during your pregnancy.
In the meantime, the best way to avoid periodontitis is through daily oral hygiene, including the following:
• Brush properly at least twice daily
• Floss daily
• Rubber tip your gums
• Use antiseptic mouthwash
• Go for regular dental check-ups and professional teeth-cleaning
Polyzos. Effect of periodontal disease treatment during pregnancy on preterm birth incidence: a metaanalysis of randomized trials. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009.
For more information on pregnancy care provided by Dr. Garofalo:
www.garofaloobgyn.com/pregnancy_care
http://es.garofaloobgyn.com/pregnancy_care.html
