Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes


 At Hello Dental, we prioritize educating our patients with the most current, evidence-based information. Recent research that analyzed data from 35 studies involving over 2.5 million pregnant women examined whether there is a connection between periodontal (gum) disease and pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight or preterm delivery.


The findings indicated that mothers with gum disease were approximately two and a half times more likely to have babies with low birth weight (under 2,500 grams). In certain types of studies comparing mothers who had affected infants to those who did not, the likelihood was even higher—nearly four times greater. When it comes to preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks), the risk was about 1.9 times higher for mothers with periodontal disease, although the results varied across studies.


However, it is important to interpret these results thoughtfully. The authors highlighted that the quality of studies varied significantly, with some having small sample sizes and evidence of publication bias, meaning studies with stronger results were more likely to be published. After adjusting for these limitations, the association with low birth weight became weaker but still remained.


While we cannot conclude that gum disease directly causes low birth weight or preterm birth, the evidence does suggest that poor oral health can increase these risks. At Hello Dental, we believe it is essential to communicate to our expectant mothers that maintaining healthy gums is not just about oral health – it is an integral part of supporting a safer, healthier pregnancy.

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