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Premature births Severe gum disease may increase the risk of premature birth. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that as many as 18 percent of premature babies born in the United States every year are due to oral problems. Pregnant women with severe gum disease have about four times the risk of having preterm babies, and may be more at risk for pre-eclampsia, which causes the mother's blood pressure to rise dangerously high. 11 If the mother has gum disease, some reserach indicates that bacteria from the mother's mouth may get into the placenta and cause premature birth. Therefore, it is important that women practice good oral hygiene before pregnancy.2 |
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