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A Newsletter of Arkansas Child Abuse Prevention - July
2004
Gum Disease and Premature Babies
While growing up, children are constantly reminded to “brush
your teeth.” Whether the reminder comes from parents,
dentists, schools, or even Saturday morning dancing toothbrushes,
it is always present and the alternative presented of having
teeth fall out or decay is very bleak. Now, scientists have
discovered another reason to brush and floss teeth – preventing
premature babies.
Guided by research on the link between gum disease and premature
babies and with support from the March of Dimes, Parenting
and Childbirth Education Services (PACES) has taken action.
The program has has teamed with local jonesboro dentists, Dr. Michael C. Parkey and Dr. Craig Davis Jr., to provide pregnant clients with dental
care during pregnancy to reduce the risk of premature labor.
Six mothers to be have participated in the program and received
dental care with two more to be seen shortly. The collaboration
will expand to serve the children of clients shortly. PACES
serves pregnant women and families of children 0-3 in both
Craighead and Poinsett counties.
According to PACES Executive Director, Rebecca Matthews, “Periodontal
disease may be the silent factor in preterm births. PACES thanks
the March of Dimes for the opportunity to explore this possibility.
Thanks to Martha Mancilla for her hard work in scheduling and
insuring all PACES’ participants made their appointments!
We could not have done it without her!”
Studied have shown that the effect of gum disease in pregnancy
may be up to seven times more likely to deliver a premature
baby. According to Professor Steven Offenbaucher, a researcher
from the University of North Carolina, “The results of
the trial indicate that the effect of gum disease in pregnancy
seems to be as harmful as other well established risk factors
such as smoking.”
The reason for concern for pregnant women with gum disease
involves the chemicals the body produces as a result of gum
infection. Gum infection causes increased production of prostaglandin
and tumor necrosis factor, chemicals that induce labor.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology
showed treating severe gum disease during pregnancy reduced
premature births by 84%. The study found that cleaning the
tooth and root surfaces before a participant reached the 35th
week of pregnancy reduced the risk of premature labor.
According to Professor Marjorie Jeffcoat, of the University
of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, who lead the
research: “In light of these finding, I recommend that
all women who are thinking of becoming pregnant or who are
pregnant receive a full periodontal exam and diagnosis.”
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