Dr. Joseph Ray Nemeth

by Dr. Nemeth on March 3, 2010
For quite some time now, a link has been evident between gum disease and a variety of other health related issues including stroke, heart attack, many cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, premature births, low birth weight babies and many others. MSNBC posted an article on Friday, January 22, 2010, citing scientists as saying that a pregnant woman’s gum disease caused her to deliver a stillborn baby.
Women have been warned that during pregnancy, gum disease can be incredibly dangerous and have perilous effects on their unborn babies.  They’ve been advised to be cautious because, gone untreated, gingivitis and periodontitis can cause babies to be born prematurely and can also cause newborns to be delivered full-term but  too small and underdeveloped.
Gum Disease can be very dangerous to an unborn child.
For the first time ever scientists have been able to establish a link between the bacteria from an expectant mother’s gums to an infection that caused …the stillbirth of her full-term infant. The study was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology on Thursday, January 21, 2010.
The 35-year-old woman from California contacted scientists from Case Western University to start an investigation into the death of her unborn child.  Shortly thereafter, the discovery was made which connected the death to the bacteria related to the mother’s gum disease.
The same scientists conducted an earlier study where they discovered that an oral bacteria called Fusobacterium nucleatumearlier could cross the placenta in mice.  Having read that study, this California woman questioned whether or not the exact bacteria could have spread from her bloodstream to her placenta causing the stillbirth of her child.
Bacteria in the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream once a woman’s gum disease progresses to the stage where she has bleeding gums; but generally, a pregnant woman’s immune system can easily eliminate this type of bacteria. Scientists suspect that the human fetus, because of the conditions that exist only inside the womb, can be more susceptible to infection that would normally be easily handled by a normal pregnant woman’s immune system.
The California woman told researchers that she had experienced signs of gum disease during her pregnancy including heavy bleeding from her gums; however, since bleeding gums aren’t unusual in pregnant women, she and her doctors thought nothing of the symptom. In fact, an estimated 75 percent of expectant mothers develop bleeding gums due to normal hormonal changes; but this mild form of gum disease can be treated simply by brushing and flossing more often. However, there is a small percentage of pregnant women who acquire a more case of gum disease and will require more extensive treatment often including dental surgery during their pregnancies.
*Source: Linda Carroll, msnbc.com contributor:updated 8:43 a.m. ET, Fri., 01/20/10.
There’s an important lesson to be learned by expectant mothers everywhere. Pregnant women should be diligent about their oral health and should not ignore the signs of gum disease including bleeding gums. If you are a pregnant woman who has more questions about the risks of gum disease to your unborn child, visit www.drnemeth.com or call 248.357.3100
Dr. Joseph Nemeth, gum surgeon near Birmingham Michigan, and his staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment for you to have a comprehensive oral evaluation where Dr. Nemeth will actually examine and identify the bacteria from under your gum line through a microscope.
If it is determined that you need treatment for your gum disease, Dr. Nemeth, periodontist near Bloomfield Hills, will work closely with your OB/GYN to come up with a treatment plan that is safe and effective for both you and your unborn child.  Don’t wait another day. You may be putting your unborn baby at risk!  Call today!  248.357.3100.
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student loanApril 20, 2010 at 2:00 am
Great, I never knew this, th