Gum Disease May Put Unborn Child At Risk

By David L. Scott, DDS

Pregnant women with untreated gum disease may be risking the lives of their babies as well as the health of their teeth, according to researchers at Case Western University and a study published recently in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Researchers have linked bacteria from a mothers gums to an infection in a baby that was full-term but stillborn, according to the study. Expectant mothers have long been warned that gum disease can cause their child to be born prematurely or with low birth weight.
The issue was brought to light when a 35-year-old woman enlisted researchers assistance after the stillbirth of her baby. Earlier studies showed that an oral bacterium called Fusobacterium nucleatum could spread from the bloodstream to the placenta in mice, and the woman wanted to know if it was possible in humans.
Bacteria from the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream once a womans gums are bleeding. This type of bacteria generally can be easily combated by the immune system of the mom-to-be, whether mouse or human. But because of special conditions that exist in the womb, the fetus can be more susceptible, researchers said.
The woman had experienced heavy bleeding from her gums a sign of pregnancy gingivitis during her pregnancy. Bleeding gums arent unusual in pregnant women, with about 75 % developing the condition due to normal hormonal changes. Mild gum disease can be treated simply by brushing and flossing more often. Pregnant women with more serious cases may need gingival surgery.
Uterine infections, which can harm a fetus, are usually caused by bacteria that work their way up from the vaginal canal. But the researchers detected a bacteria in the baby not typically found in the vaginal region. Plaque samples from the womans teeth were found to be positive for the exact same strain of the oral bacteria found in the dead babys stomach and lungs as confirmed by DNA analysis.
Women shouldnt be overly alarmed by the new study, researchers said. However, it should serve as a reminder that pregnant women with bleeding gums should see a dentist to treat their gingivitis. Gingivitis can increase the risk of preterm birth anywhere from two to seven times.
The new study underscores the importance of oral hygiene not only for pregnant women, but also for those contemplating pregnancy.