Why bad gums make it harder to get pregnant
WOMEN struggling to become pregnant need to take good care of their gums, a study has found.
Bacteria that cause gum infections appear to play a role in delaying conception, scientists believe.
Women with P. gingivalis in their saliva – the bacteria that trigger gum disease – took three times longer to become pregnant than others without it. Those who also had periodontitis – a disease of the gum and jaw – took four times longer.
The bacteria were a factor even after other issues that affect the likelihood of becoming pregnant were taken into account, including a woman’s socio- economic status, general health and whether they smoke.
Finnish researchers believe that infection in the gums and jawbone leads to further inflammation in the body.
This may prevent ovulation, or could stop the embryo implanting. Other possible effects could be inflammation of the ovary, uterus and embryo as well as disrupted hormone production.
It may also contribute to endometriosis, a condition that causes tissue normally found inside the womb to grow elsewhere in the body. Dr Susanna Paju, of the Uni- versity of Helsinki, said: ‘Our study does not answer the question on possible reasons for infertility but it shows that periodontal bacteria may have a systemic effect even in lower amounts, and even before clear clinical signs of gum disease can be seen.
‘ Our results encourage young women of fertile age to take care of their oral health and attend periodontal evalu- ations regularly.’ Researchers at the university studied 256 healthy women aged 19 to 42 who were trying to conceive.
The health of their mouths and gums as well as their reproductive organs was tested.
After a year, the women who had not become pregnant were found to be far more likely to have P. gingivalis in their saliva than those who had conceived.
Previous research has associated gum disease with a delay in conception by two months, but this study – which is published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology – is the first to link it to a specific bacteria.
In Britain, 45 per cent of the population have periodontitis, a bacterial inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissue that destroys the gums and bone from which the teeth grow.
Ten per cent have the most severe form of the condition, which can lead to tooth loss.
‘Take care of oral health’