The periodontist of our dental clinic Dr Aliki Chatzogianni provides information about the correlation between periodontal diseases and pregnancy and infertility.

Pregnancy is a condition that causes many changes in the body and health of a woman, which often affect both her gums and teeth and generally the oral cavity. Hormonal changes affect sensitive gums, resulting in increased chance of gingivitis. Gingivitis during pregnancy occurs in the majority of women around the 2nd to 3rd month of pregnancy and the intensity gradually increases until the 8th month. Symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen gums that easily bleed.

In its advanced form gingivitis evolves into periodontitis. According several studies, it is often associated with undesirable pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm labor, birth of underweight newborns, preeclampsia, pregnancy diabetes mellitus, fetal excretion, etc., as microbial agents correlated to the inflammation of the gums can be found in the amniotic fluid through the circulatory system. It has been shown that the possibility of undesirable pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with severe periodontitis is up to 7 times higher than in pregnant women without periodontal disease.

On the other hand, it has been shown that proper treatment of diseases in the oral cavity can reduce the above mentioned complications of pregnancy especially in women more prone to these complications (eg taking medication, alcohol use, smoking, heredity, etc.)

Which is the link between periodontitis and the fertility of both women and men?

According to a study conducted by the University of Western Australia, one of the factors that affect a woman's fertility is periodontitis and generally poor oral hygiene. On average, a woman needs about five months to get pregnant once she starts to try. However, for women with chronic inflammation and swollen gums, the time required can be up to seven months.The reason, according to Swedish experts, is that since inflammation in the mouth can damage overall health, it can also harm fertility. According to the same research, periodontitis can be associated with both fetal excretion and poor sperm quality regarding men.

So if we want a pregnancy without adverse effects, we should not neglect the health of oral cavity. Dental and periodontal examination should be included in prenatal testing. Then frequent dental checks during pregnancy are necessary to prevent any inflammation that may affect negatively both the pregnant woman and the fetus.

Aliki Chatzogianni DDS, MSc Specialist in Periodontology, Implant & Oral Medicine