Preterm Birth & Periodontal Disease
Pregnant women with untreated periodontitis have approximately 2× the risk of preterm birth and 4× the risk of preterm low-birth-weight delivery, because oral inflammatory cytokines (PGE2, IL-1β, TNF-α) can reach the placenta and trigger early labor. Oral bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum have been recovered from amniotic fluid in preterm cases.
The Connection
Bacteremia from periodontal pockets seeds the placenta, and inflammatory mediators cross the maternal-fetal interface. Crucially, periodontal therapy delivered before 24 weeks of gestation appears safe and can lower preterm birth rates in high-risk women.
Why Coordination Matters
OB-GYNs should ask about gum bleeding at the first prenatal visit and refer for periodontal screening. Dentists should treat pregnant patients without delay — non-surgical therapy is safe in the second trimester.
What to Watch For
- Bleeding gums during pregnancy (pregnancy gingivitis)
- Pyogenic granuloma (pregnancy tumor)
- Tooth mobility
- Severe morning sickness eroding enamel
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gum disease cause preterm birth?
Periodontitis is associated with roughly 2× the preterm birth risk and 4× the preterm low-birth-weight risk, because oral inflammatory mediators reach the placenta and can trigger early labor.
Is dental cleaning safe during pregnancy?
Yes — non-surgical periodontal therapy in the second trimester is well-established as safe and is the recommended timing.
Why do my gums bleed more during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes (especially elevated progesterone) amplify the gum tissue's inflammatory response to plaque. The condition is called pregnancy gingivitis and resolves with cleaning.