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Gum disease can cause premature childbirth
Pregnant women with gum disease are susceptible to premature deliveries, some experts said during a recent seminar here
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Pregnant women with gum disease are susceptible to premature deliveries, some experts said during a recent seminar here.
"About 77 percent of women who gave birth prematurely suffered from gum disease," said Boy Abidin, an obstetrician.
Boy said gum infection stimulated the production of prostaglandins, a hormone which stimulated womb contractions. Gum infection can also disrupt nutrition absorption, which can affect the growth of the fetus.
According to the Journal of Periodontology, a leading health journal from the United States, women with chronic gum disease are seven times more likely to have babies that are born too early or too small.
A survey held by the Health Ministry in 2002 said seven out of 10 people in Indonesia suffered from bleeding gums, signifying they had gum infection.
"Pregnant women in this county are very likely to have gum problems. Therefore, I suggest all pregnant women have a dental checkup as soon as possible," Boy said.
He said many women were reluctant to have dental treatment during pregnancy.
"Many of my patients said they were worried the treatment could affect their babies," he said.
Boy said there were many myths among Indonesians, especially on the "don'ts" for pregnant women.
"Such as pregnant women must not use toothpaste, they must not have any teeth extracted, must not consume antibiotics for dental treatment, and many others," he said.
"These myths are all wrong. But it is true that dentists must be more careful treating pregnant women. And pregnant women must be given smaller doses of medicine than normal," he said.
Yulia Rachma, a gum health expert, said that rather than listening to the myths, pregnant women should take extra care of their teeth.
A woman's blood vessels become enlarged because of the pregnancy hormones, this change makes the woman's gums more easily damaged and thus prone to infection, she said.
"Pregnant women must use toothpaste, which gives the gum protection and kills the bacteria and viruses in their mouth," she said.
"However, they should not brush their teeth too hard or too fast to prevent damaging their gums," she said.
She said pregnant women with gum problems should avoid consuming foods and beverages which were too sweet, too hot or too cold. Nor should they drink soft drinks.
Yulia added that other than pregnant women, smokers were also very susceptible to gum disease.
"The cigarette's heat and its dangerous substances make the gum thicker and prevent it receiving the nutrition needed from the blood vessels. Smoking can speed up the formation of dental plaque too.
"Smokers usually do not suffer from bleeding gums because their gums are thick, but they might have dental plaque which causes gum disease," she said. (mrs)
