Gum Disease Michigan | www.drnemeth.com | 248-357-3100 | Birmingham Bloomfield Hills Periodontist

Pregnant women have long been warned about the dangers of gum disease and the effects it can have on their unborn children. They've been told that, left untreated, gingivitis and periodontitis can cause not only premature births but can also cause babies to be born too small and underdeveloped. Now, for the first time, scientists have been able to link the bacteria from an expectant woman's gums to an infection that caused a full-term infant to be stillborn. The study was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

After a 35-year-old woman from California contacted scientists from Case Western University to investigate the death of her unborn child, the discovery was made which linked the death to the gum disease bacteria. In earlier studies by the same scientists, results showed that an oral bacteria called Fusobacterium nucleatum could cross the placenta in mice. The California woman questioned whether or not the same bacteria could spread from the bloodstream to the placenta in humans.

Once a woman has bleeding gums, bacteria in the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream, but generally, this type of bacteria can be easily eradicated by the immune system of the pregnant woman. Because of special conditions that exist only in the womb, scientists suspect that the human fetus can be more susceptible.

Yiping Han, an associate professor of periodontics and pathology at Case Western University, the author of the study, says, "Once the bacteria are in the blood, they can go almost anywhere. The placenta is an immunosuppressed organ, compared to other organs like the liver and the spleen. And that makes it easy for the bacteria to colonize the placenta."

The California woman told researchers that she had experienced signs of gum disease during her pregnancy including heavy bleeding from her gums; however, bleeding gums aren't unusual in pregnant women. In fact, about 75 percent of pregnant women develop bleeding gums due to normal hormonal changes; but mild gum disease can be treated simply by brushing and flossing more often. However, a small percentage of pregnant women with more serious cases of gum disease will require dental surgery during their pregnancies.

Pregnant women with uterine infections that can harm a fetus usually contract the infection by bacteria that work their way up from the vaginal canal; but the researchers in this case detected a bacteria in the stillborn baby not typically found in the vaginal canal, says Han. Plaque samples were taken from the California woman's teeth and were found to contain the exact same strain of the oral bacteria found in the deceased baby's stomach and lungs.

Dr. Richard Beigi, an obstetric infectious disease specialist and an assistant professor of reproductive science at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center warns that women shouldn't be overly alarmed by the new study. Since this is just a single case, pregnant women with bleeding gums should not overreact.

Still, there's an important lesson to be learned. Pregnant women should be diligent about their oral health and should not ignore the signs of gum disease including bleeding gums. If you are a pregnant woman who has more questions about the risks of gum disease to your unborn child, visit www.drnemeth.com or call 248.357.3100.

Michigan Periodontist, Dr. Joseph Nemeth and his staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation. Dr. Nemeth will work closely with your OB/GYN to come up with a treatment plan that is safe and effective for both you and your unborn baby.