Gum Diseases Lead To Premature Birth

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The research by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania suggest that successful treatment for gum disease can cut the risk of pregnant women giving birth early. The study of 160 women showed that those whose gum disease was not treated successfully were three times more likely to give birth before 35 weeks.

Severe gum infections cause an increase in the production of prostaglandin and tumour necrosis factor, chemicals which induce labour.

Volunteers of the study were between 6-20 weeks of pregnancy and all had gum disease. These women were given treatment, which was successful only in one third of the cases.

The results showed a 'strong and significant association" between successful treatment and full-term births.

For those the treatment did not work, were more likely to give birth before 35 weeks.

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