Though researchers have long known of an apparent link between gum disease and risk of pregnancy complications like preterm delivery, evidence has been thin on exactly how the two were related. According to a report on Science Daily, a researcher from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine has documented the first clear link between a stillbirth and oral bacteria. In the case, to be published in an upcoming issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a 35-year-old mom experienced a stillbirth at full-term after reporting gum bleeding throughout her pregnancy. Postmortem tests on the baby found evidence that the bacteria from the mother's mouth had entered her bloodstream and infected the placenta.
The article also reports that about 75% of pregnant women experience bleeding gums during pregnancy, so this should not be read to mean that women with bleeding gums necessarily have a higher risk of stillbirth. It's likely that any such bacteria entering the bloodstream would normally be stopped by the mother's immune system before reaching the placenta. Still, the researchers cautioned women that it could be wise to see a dentist and clear up dental and oral health concerns before becoming pregnant -- and notify a doctor if you have problems with bleeding gums during pregnancy.
