It’s been my experience that very few people – including many in the healthcare professions – associate good oral health with good prenatal care. After all, what do your teeth have to do with your pregnancy?
Yet, the facts are that gum disease can put both the mother and the fetus or the infant at terrible risk of developing serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. It’s particularly risky for all concerned when this occurs during pregnancy. As a father of five, I can emphatically say that no parent would even think of intentionally starting their child out in life with having to battle against health threats that start even before birth.
The primary risk posed by gum disease during pregnancy is preterm delivery (PTD) and low birth weight (LBW), but researchers have also linked gum disease to gestational diabetes, which can be a factor in PTD. These studies all suggest that good oral health care is critical before and during pregnancy, to remove as many risk factors for PTD and LBW as possible.
Preterm delivery and low birth weight can threaten the physical health of the baby and the mother, a tragic situation to be sure. Equally tragic is the effect that this has on the emotional health of the entire extended family and its circle of friends. Compounding the angst that can surround what should be a happy event is the fact that, in the case of causes related to periodontal disease, it is largely preventable.
Before we go into the details, let me just say a few words of caution. This is not intended to scare you – it’s meant to help you be prepared to deliver the healthy baby you want. It’s simple and straightforward. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or even if you are a woman of childbearing years who may become pregnant, be sure to talk with your dentist. Ideally, you’ll do this before you are pregnant so you and your dentist together can make certain your oral health is in great shape so it won’t pose any risks to your baby.
Now, here are the facts. The latest statistics show that nearly 13 percent of all births in the United States are preterm. In 2005, that meant that there were more than half a million preterm births. remature birth is defined as a baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Premature babies, or preemies, may face numerous health problems. Born before they could go through that spurt of pre-birth weight gain, about eight percent are born with low birth weight, which is considered anything under 2,500 grams, or about five pounds eight ounces. Another one and a half percent are born at very low birth weight – under 1,500 grams or three pounds four ounces.1
Because their organs may not have had time to develop fully, preemies typically need a neonatal intensive care unit, where they receive special medical care until their organs and all their systems can work on their own.
Most premature babies can catch up within a year or two, but some aren’t so lucky and experience a daily struggle just to survive. Some very serious complications of PTD are, unfortunately, common.3
A heart problem common in preemies is called patent ductus arteriosis. If it isn’t treated, it can lead to heart failure, a potentially dangerous intestinal problem called necrotizing enterocolitis.
In babies born before 32 weeks, bleeding in the brain – called intraventricular hemorrhage – can cause brain damage.
Another common problem in infants born before 32 weeks is called retinopathy of prematurity, an eye problem that in severe cases can cause vision loss unless treated.
Babies born before 34 weeks may have respiratory distress syndrome, a serious breathing problem.
Obviously, these are not trivial issues that any caring parent would want their child to experience, especially at such an early and vulnerable stage. It’s much better to do everything you can before your pregnancy and while you are pregnant so you can delivery a full-term healthy baby.
