Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and their collaborators have determined bacteria in the mouths of pregnant women can contribute to pre-term birth (premature).
Around 12.7% of births in the U.S. are pre-term deliveries, which has increased by 36% increase over the last 25 years. Intrauterine infection is recognized as a main cause of pre-term birth as well as late miscarriage and still birth. The cause of intrauterine infections has long been attributed to bacteria ascending into the uterus from the lower genital tract. However the researchers have found that such infections are caused by bacteria in the mouth and in the vaginal tract.
Specifically, in the study saliva and plaque samples were injected into the tails of pregnant mice to determine what bacteria are capable of oral-uterus transmission. A diverse group of bacterial species were found to be in the mouse placenta, of which the majority originate in the oral cavity and are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans.
This suggests that a mother should make sure any bacterial infection in her mouth, such as the common one known as gingivitis, is under control while she is pregnant or planning to soon become pregnant.
Source:
Y. Fardini, P. Chung, R. Dumm, N. Joshi, Y.W. Han. Transmission of Diverse Oral Bacteria to Murine Placenta: Evidence for the Oral Microbiome as a Potential Source of Intrauterine Infection. Infection and Immunity, 2010; 78 (4): 1789.
I prefer seeing pregnant patients more often to maintain healthy gums and prevent pregnancy gingivitis.
Of course we hold off on X-rays and delay non-urgent restorative care.
Joe Bulger DDS