Based on data from three articles published in the November and December issues of the Journal of Periodontology, the importance of good oral health during pregnancy cannot be overstated.

One study conducted by Turkish researchers, included more than 3,500 pregnant women. The need for peridontal treatment was measured on a treatment needed scale of TN-I to TN-III, with TN-I needing the least amount of treatment and TN-III needing the most. As the need for peridontal treatment increased, birth weight and gestational age decreased. The rate of low-birth weight (LBW) was 4.6 percent in the TN-I group, 8.3 percent in the TN-II group, and 14.6 percent in the TN-III group. Preterm birth (PTB) rates were 10.5 percent, 12.7 percent, and 26.8 percent respectively in the TN-I, TN-II, and TN-III groups. The authors concluded that TN-II and TN-III were independent risk factors for LBW and PTB.

A second study found that those with periodontal disease were at greater risk of having a low-birth weight and preterm baby. Researchers randomly assigned 200 Indian women to one of two groups—treatment or control. All women received a thorough periodontal exam. The women in the treatment group were given non-surgical treatment during pregnancy; those in the control group received periodontal treatment after birth. The rate of PTB was 68 in the control group compared to 53 in the treatment group. There were nearly twice as many LBW infants in the control group compared to the treatment group—48 vs 26—causing the authors to conclude that non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease can reduce the risk for preterm birth and delivery of low-birth weight infants.

The third study involved 1,300 Brazilian women divided into four groups: control group (women who gave birth to normal weight infants of adequate gestational age; women who gave birth to preterm infants ; women who gave birth to low-birth weight infants; and women who gave birth to infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The women were examined for evidence of periodontal disease, defined as 4 or more teeth with one or more sites with probing depth >4mm and attachment loss >3mm. After adjusting for variables, the authors found that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk for PTB, LBW, and IUGR.

Whether you are pregnant or anticipate getting pregnant, daily brushing and flossing (yes, flossing!) and a yearly check-up with a dental professional need to be part of your routine. After all, these are the only teeth you get and they need to last a lifetime.