Should pregnant
women visit the dentist?
Yes! Research suggests
that a simple dental treatment may reduce a woman's risk of giving birth
prematurely.
According to a study
published in the Journal of Periodontology it was found that treating
severe gum disease with scaling and root care cut premature births by
84%.
Tens of thousands
of babies are born prematurely, before 37 weeks gestation, in the United
States each year. Premature birth increases the risk of conditions such
as cerebral palsy, vision and hearing loss, lung and gastrointestinal
problems, and even death.
It has already been
established that severe gum infections cause an increase in the production
of prostaglandin and tumour necrosis factor, chemicals which induce
labor, to be produced.
In light of these
findings, it is recommended that all women who are thinking of becoming
pregnant or who are pregnant receive a full periodontal exam and diagnosis.
Those women who
are already pregnant when periodontal disease is detected are ideally
treated with scaling and root planing in the second trimester.
Regular dental visits
are a cost effective way to prevent many future health complications
and when addressing women who are considering childbirth or are pregnant,
it is highly recommended for the health and well being of both mother
and child.
