Dental News - Periodontal treatment no harm to newborns

Daniel Zimmermann, DTI

Wed. 20 April 2011

save

NEW YORK, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: Pregnant women with gum disease may undergo non-surgical periodontal treatment without fear of consequences for their baby’s health. In a large trial involving 400 infants between the ages of two and three from different paediatric clinics in the US, dental clinicians found that treating periodontitis during pregnancy did not affect the children’s cognitive, motor or language capabilities later in life.

In the study, clinicians from universities in Minnesota, Kentucky, Mississippi and New York compared development data of children born to women who were treated for gum disease before and after their delivery. However, the results between the control and experimental groups only differed slightly. Higher motor and cognitive scores were observed in the children of women who saw an improvement in their periodontal health.

Earlier studies indicated that paternal periodontal treatment may be linked to different medical problems including low birth weight, preterm birth and long-term development delays, as bacteria released during treatment may enter the mother’s bloodstream and harm the baby. According to research, pregnant women are prone to gingival bleeding, which is caused by a hormonal imbalance that encourages the growth of certain oral bacteria.

If the new data is verified, pregnant women throughout the US could have their gum conditions treated, confident in the knowledge that it will not have a clinically significant effect on their child’s development, the researchers said. A spokesperson of the American Academy of Periodontology said that although the data remains inconclusive, the organisation generally recommends women to maintain their periodontal health during pregnancy.

To post a reply please login or register

AAE: No evidence linking dental treatment to Alzheimer’s disease

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: Despite provocative reporting and sensational headlines, the American Association of Endodontists says there is no evidence that ...

Laser treatment of pulpal exposure to potentially avoid endodontic treatment

Pulpal exposures are unfortunately a routine occurrence when treating carious teeth and frequently lead to endodontic treatment owing to the size of the ...

Webinar: Expert introduces laser-supported periodontal treatment concept

LEIPZIG, Germany: A new webinar, to be presented by the Biolase Campus on July 15, will demonstrate a laser supported concept for periodontal therapy, ...

Diode lasers for periodontal treatment: the story thus far

The concept of using dental lasers for the treatment of periodontal disease elicits very strong reactions from both ends of the spectrum. Everyone has an ...

‘Trifles go to make perfection and perfection is no trifle’ — Michelangelo

The mouth is a harsh environment to work in. Teeth are small and aligned next to one another in a dark, wet environment. The gum tissue, cheeks and tongue ...

Asbestos may harm dentists too

NEW YORK, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: According to the US website Asbestos.net, dentist should be more aware of the hazards arising from asbestos. High ...

Glidewell now offering digital treatment planning to implant dentists

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., USA: Glidewell Laboratories recently announced that it is now offering digital treatment planning and surgical guide fabrication to ...

Summer thoughts to warm you this winter

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: This past winter was brutally cold and at times simply depressing. Helping me to keep warm during this forthcoming winter will be ...

Researchers lead landmark study to transform jaw pain treatment

PITTSBURGH, US: A new US$17 million research initiative led by the University of Pittsburgh is set to revolutionise understanding and treatment of ...

Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline linked to periodontal disease

Recent studies provide increasing evidence that untreated periodontal inflammation is linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, and that ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 1 December 2025
1:00 PM EST (New York)