|
Login
|
Login
  • +Home
    • Sitemap Page
  • +Treatments
    • +LANAP Laser Treatment
      • What Is LANAP®?
      • LANAP® Procedure
      • LANAP® vs. Traditional Gum Surgery
      • FAQ's About LANAP®
    • Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST)™
    • +Dental Implants
      • Multiple Missing Teeth
      • Implant Supported Dentures
      • Dental Implants
      • Dental Implants 101
      • Dental Implants vs. Dentures
      • Single Missing Tooth
      • Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
      • FAQ's About Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Plastic Surgery
    • Bone Grafting
    • Gum Grafting
    • Sinus Grafting
    • Oral Pathology
    • Oral DNA
    • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Sedation
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Periodontal Maintenance
  • +Technology
    • Laser Dentistry
    • Cone Beam 3D Imaging
    • Digital X-Rays
  • +Gum Disease
    • Stages of Gum Disease
    • Dangers of Gum Disease
    • Tooth and Bone Loss
    • Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
    • Gum Disease and Heart Disease
    • Gum Disease and Diabetes
    • Gum Disease and Stroke
    • Gum Disease and Pregnancy
    • Gum Disease and Pancreatic Cancer
  • -Patient Center
    • Pre and Post Op Forms
    • New Patient Forms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Financial Policy
    • -Dental Articles
      • Gum Disease and Pregnancy
      • Gum Disease, Pancreatic Cancer Linked
      • Oral Hygiene May Help More Than Teeth and Gums
      • Gum Disease Linked To Premature Birth
      • Flossing Protects More Than Teeth and Gums
      • Pounds Weigh Heavy on Gums
      • Linking Infection To Heart Disease
      • More Research Data for LANAP Laser
      • Hollywood Stars Die of Pancreatic Cancer
    • Smile Gallery
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Referring Dentists
  • +About Us
    • Meet Dr. Miguel Jusino
    • Meet Our Team
    • Dr. Timothy Davis
  • +Contact
    • Map and Directions
    • Request an Appointment
    • Blog
Periodontist in Naples, FL | Laser Gum Surgery, Dental Implants
Periodontist in Naples, FL | Laser Gum Surgery, Dental Implants
  • Home
    • Sitemap Page
  • Treatments
    • LANAP Laser Treatment
      • What Is LANAP®?
      • LANAP® Procedure
      • LANAP® vs. Traditional Gum Surgery
      • FAQ's About LANAP®
    • Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST)™
    • Dental Implants
      • Multiple Missing Teeth
      • Implant Supported Dentures
      • Dental Implants
      • Dental Implants 101
      • Dental Implants vs. Dentures
      • Single Missing Tooth
      • Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
      • FAQ's About Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Plastic Surgery
    • Bone Grafting
    • Gum Grafting
    • Sinus Grafting
    • Oral Pathology
    • Oral DNA
    • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Sedation
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Periodontal Maintenance
  • Technology
    • Laser Dentistry
    • Cone Beam 3D Imaging
    • Digital X-Rays
  • Gum Disease
    • Stages of Gum Disease
    • Dangers of Gum Disease
    • Tooth and Bone Loss
    • Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
    • Gum Disease and Heart Disease
    • Gum Disease and Diabetes
    • Gum Disease and Stroke
    • Gum Disease and Pregnancy
    • Gum Disease and Pancreatic Cancer
  • Patient Center
    • Pre and Post Op Forms
    • New Patient Forms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Financial Policy
    • Dental Articles
      • Gum Disease and Pregnancy
      • Gum Disease, Pancreatic Cancer Linked
      • Oral Hygiene May Help More Than Teeth and Gums
      • Gum Disease Linked To Premature Birth
      • Flossing Protects More Than Teeth and Gums
      • Pounds Weigh Heavy on Gums
      • Linking Infection To Heart Disease
      • More Research Data for LANAP Laser
      • Hollywood Stars Die of Pancreatic Cancer
    • Smile Gallery
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Referring Dentists
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Miguel Jusino
    • Meet Our Team
    • Dr. Timothy Davis
  • Contact
    • Map and Directions
    • Request an Appointment
    • Blog
Periodontist in Naples, FL | Laser Gum Surgery, Dental Implants
Dr. Timothy Davis, Advanced Periodontics and Dental Implants

Gum Disease Linked with Premature Births

 


Gum Disease Linked with Premature Births

Gum disease has been linked to premature birth.
07-Nov-2011
By Joy Victory
Published: February 24, 2006

In recent years, dentists and doctors have begun to understand how periodontitis — gum disease — does more than cause big bills at the dentist’s office. It also may trigger or exacerbate conditions like heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

That’s because oral bacteria are nasty critters, and once they’ve infiltrated the gums, they can travel through the bloodstream and cause infections all over the body, particularly the heart valves. The situation is especially dire for diabetics, who have a weakened healing system.

But now researchers are learning that premature births also may be linked with periodontal disease, possibly shedding light on why about one out of every 10 women give birth prematurely.

In general, pregnant women are more likely to develop swollen and inflamed gums because of the sweeping hormonal changes that occur after conception. Often these changes are temporary.

The changes may be fleeting, but still very important to treat: Research is showing that women who had moderate-to-severe periodontal disease during pregnancy had an increased risk of pre-term delivery, even when factors like race, smoking and behavioral attitudes were taken into account.

It’s speculated that in some women, oral bacteria not only enter the bloodstream and expose the baby to harmful bacteria, they also may alert the immune system to send “deliver baby now” signals to the uterus.

Insurance Companies Taking Note

As the American Academy of Periodontology puts it, “the likely culprit is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin.”

While further research is needed, what’s known so far indicates that one in 5 pre-term births could be prevented by treating periodontal disease, said Steven Offenbacher, a periodontics professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.

He said that some health insurance companies have taken note of this link and are offering aggressive prenatal dental care to women.

The risk of not taking care of gum disease far outweighs any potential concerns about dental treatments harming the baby, such as from X-rays, he said.

“Treatment for periodontal disease during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to improve maternal oral heath,” he said.

Contact Us

Complete the form below and we'll contact you to answer your questions or assist with scheduling your appointment.

LANAP Article

LANAP Article Cover
Download LANAP Article

Perio Article

Choose a Periodontist Article Cover
Download Perio Article

PST Article

PST Article Cover
Download PST Article

  Dr. Davis Is A Top Dentist     Dr. Davis Is A Member Of The ALD      Dr. Davis Is A Member Of ICOI        Dr. Davis Is A Member Of The AAID      Dr. Davis Is A Member Of The AAP     Dr. Davis Is A Member Of The ADSA
Contact Us

Dr. Miguel Jusino
4933 Tamiami Trail North
Suite 100
Naples, FL 34103

 

New Patients: (239) 228-3064 Current Patients: (239) 649-7766

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: By Appointment Only

Featured Services
  • LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery
  • Dental Implants
  • Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST)
  • Periodontal Plastic Surgery
New Patients
  • New Patient Forms
  • Pre- and Post-Op Forms
  • Financial Policy
Powered by Progressive Dental Marketing | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use
Socialize With Us!  
Follow Dr. Davis on Google+Follow Dr. Davis on Our BlogFollow Dr. Davis on Our Blog