Dental health linked to pregnancy success

Wednesday July 6th, 2011

Keeping the teeth and gums healthy may play a big role in ensuring successful conception, a conference heard yesterday.

Professor Roger Hart of the University of Western Australia in Perth, says that gum disease can delay conception to a similar extent as obesity.

Speaking at the conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm, Sweden, he reported on preliminary research that showed gum disease can increase the time it takes to conceive by an average of two months.

Gum disease, is an infectious condition that causes inflammation of the gums and surrounding area. It has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory and kidney disease, miscarriage and premature birth. Triggered by normal bacteria, it can be prevented by regular brushing and flossing.

The study involved 3,416 pregnant women, and showed that those with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant, two months longer than those without.

The delay was particularly evident in non-Caucasian women, possibly due to a higher level of inflammatory response to gum disease.

Professor Hart said: "Until now, there have been no published studies that investigate whether gum disease can affect a woman's chance of conceiving, so this is the first report to suggest that gum disease might be one of several factors that could be modified to improve the chances of a pregnancy."

"Our data suggest that the presence of periodontal disease is a modifiable risk factor."

He recommends that women planning to conceive should maintain good oral hygiene and visit their dentist to have any gum disease treated. "The study showed conclusively that the treatment of periodontal disease does not have any harmful effect on the mother or foetus during pregnancy," he adds.

Findings presented on July 5, 2011, at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Tags: Australia | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Europe | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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