Did you know that there is a close relationship between gum disease and pre-term birth?
If you are expecting, please do not hesitate to ask your dentist about the health and hygiene of your mouth!
Periodontitis in Pregnancy: Discover how to take care of your baby by taking care of your teeth during pregnancy.
Female oral health is influenced by hormonal changes during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or while taking oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies.
In particular, we recall phenomena related to the formation and evolution of oral plaque linked to hormonal levels, which can condition the onset of periodontal disease (pyorrhea).
In the case of pyorrhea, the presence of particularly aggressive microorganisms constitutes a significant risk factor for pregnancy complications, such as pre-term labor and low birth weight newborns.
During pregnancy, there is an increase in estrogen levels, particularly progesterone, which leads to various changes also at the level of the oral cavity, such as:
– Increased gingival bleeding
– Hyperplasia (increase in the volume of gingival tissue due to an increase in the number of cells)
– Pregnancy epulis (localized increase in gingival volume)
– Change in the subgingival bacterial microflora
– Temporary increased risk of developing dental-gingival complications
Fortunately, periodontitis (pyorrhea) is both predictable and treatable, thus offering the opportunity to reduce the incidence of pre-term labor and low birth weight of the newborn.
By Dr. Sarah Santini, dental hygienist at the office of Dr. Pier Carlo Frabboni
