Daily Mail

Why bad gums make it harder to get pregnant

- By Colin Fernandez Science Correspond­ent c.fernandez@dailymail.co.uk

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’

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