Gum Disease & Prematurity Study
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry SCRIPT #520 SHOOT: 7/17/03 AIRDATE: Monday, August 25, 2003 DHC #18 Timecode: 16:55 See August Journal of Periodontology posted on website of the American Academy of Periodontology : www.perio.org The article is titled, "Periodontal Disease & Preterm Birth: Results of a Pilot Intervention Study" by Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat and others.
Monday, August 25, 2003
A new study released today offers evidence that treating gum disease in pregnant women prevents them from giving birth too early. About 12 percent of all babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. The study suggests a dental procedure early in pregnancy could help the mother avoid premature labor. Dr. Linda Niessen explains the connection in today's Dental Health
Prematurity in babies increases the risk of death and lasting disabilities. Countless researchers have studied the health of the mother to find causes of early labor during pregnancy. Gum disease appears to be a risk factor.
The latest study published in the Journal of Periodontology links a woman's risk of delivering prematurely prematurely to her to her periodontal disease. The study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that women with gum disease were 3 to 8 times more likely to have a premature baby.
Dr. Pat Blanton says, "This study is significant in that its not only the first of its kind, but its been performed by one of our leading researchers. And its really very important too, because it also offers an intervention during the course of pregnancy." That intervention is a simple procedure called scaling and root planing in which a dentist or hygienist carefully cleans the surfaces of the tooth root to remove plaque and tartar. Scaling and root planing reduces inflammation or swelling. This is critical. Inflammation triggers the release of chemicals called prostaglandins that can cause preterm labor.
"Prostaglandins get into the blood stream and they can have other impact too," said Dr. Blanton.
The Alabama study included more than 350 pregnant women with gum disease. Researchers found that scaling and root planing reduced premature births by as much as 84 percent.
Any infection including a periodontal or gum infection during pregnancy is cause for concern. So if you are planning to get pregnant, you need two check-ups: one with your physician and one with your dentist. For Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A & M University System Health Science Center in Dallas, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
