10/11/2025
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A recent study has confirmed a powerful mouth–body link during pregnancy. Women with gum inflammation or periodontitis face nearly double the risk of pre-term birth or low-birth-weight babies.
Researchers believe bacteria and inflammatory molecules from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, affecting the placenta and triggering early labor signals.
Pregnancy hormones make gums more reactive to plaque, often causing redness, bleeding, and tenderness. What seems like mild gum inflammation can quickly progress deeper, silently influencing systemic inflammation. These immune changes, when persistent, can affect uterine stability and fetal growth—turning a local oral infection into a potential pregnancy complication.
This isn’t rare—studies estimate up to seven in ten pregnant women develop some degree of gum inflammation. Medical and dental experts now consider maternal oral health a vital part of prenatal care, as maintaining healthy gums supports overall pregnancy outcomes and newborn well-being.
🩺 Source:
Castaño-Suárez, L., Paternina-Mejía, G.Y., Vásquez‑Olmos, L.D. et al. Curr Oral Health Rep 11, 125–137 (2024).
