EFP

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Baby: The Connection Every Mother-to-Be Needs to Know

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Baby: The Connection Every Mother-to-Be Needs to Know

As the new year begins, experts are urging women to prioritize their oral health, emphasizing its critical role not just in personal well-being but also in ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life—from puberty to menopause—can significantly affect oral health, and pregnancy is a particularly crucial time for maintaining gum and dental hygiene.

According to the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), gum disease during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. “Increased hormonal levels during pregnancy can affect how the body reacts to dental plaque, leading to swollen and bleeding gums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, this can progress to periodontitis, a more serious gum disease that poses health risks to both the mother and the child,” explains Nicola West, secretary general of the EFP.

Scientific studies have highlighted connections between gum disease and pregnancy complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, and pre-eclampsia. Pregnant women are advised to brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and schedule regular dental check-ups, particularly during the second and third trimesters.

The risks of untreated gum disease outweigh the concerns about dental treatments during pregnancy, emphasizes Tali Chackartchi, president-elect of the EFP. “Periodontal disease, if present, can worsen due to hormonal changes. Early detection and treatment are vital to reducing the likelihood of complications, including tooth loss and adverse pregnancy outcomes.”

To raise awareness, the EFP has dedicated a session at the upcoming EuroPerio11 congress in Vienna this May to women’s oral health. This leading event in periodontology and implant dentistry where Lumoral will also be showcased aims to equip oral health professionals with tools to adopt a more personalized and holistic approach when treating female patients, including pregnant women. “We need to promote further research into the connection between oral and overall health, especially in women,” adds West.

The EFP also leads the annual Gum Health Day campaign, celebrated worldwide every May 12, to educate the public about the link between gum diseases and systemic health. The campaign underscores the idea that oral health is deeply connected to the well-being of other bodily systems.

“Maintaining healthy gums is essential for overall health,” concludes Chackartchi. “If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, know that your oral health can influence your baby’s health. Regular dental visits, at least every six months, are crucial to ensuring healthy gums.”

About the EFP

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) is a global leader in promoting gum health and periodontal science. With 43 member societies and over 16,000 oral-health professionals, the EFP is dedicated to improving awareness of periodontal health for better overall well-being. It organizes workshops, events, and campaigns, including EuroPerio and Gum Health Day, to advance education and research in the field.

EuroPerio is the world's leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry, organized by the EFP. It serves as a global platform for dental and oral health professionals to explore the latest research, advancements, and practices in periodontal science and related fields. 

The Lumoral team will be present at the event to showcase new scientific results, adding to the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of the antibacterial Lumoral treatment method in addressing serious oral health issues.

www.lumoral.com

 

 

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