Gum disease or periodontal disease in its severe form is caused by a build-up of plaque.It leads to bad breath and bleeding gums and, if untreated, causes cavities, receding gums and tooth loss.Bleeding gums caused by failure to brush properly can allow up to 700 different types of bacteria to get into the bloodstream.It is not clear how gum disease may trigger problems with conceiving, but infected gums may release inflammatory chemicals, which activate the immune system and inflame the lining of the womb.This could affect implantation of a fertilised egg.'Women should be encouraged to see their dentist to have any gum disease treated before trying for a baby. The researchers questioned almost 4,000 women who were 12 weeks pregnant.A total of 26 per cent were confirmed to have gum disease. They found delays in conceiving among those aged 35 and over, smokers and obese women already known risk factors.But there was a higher level of gum disease one in three among the women who took more than a year to get pregnant.Of those who had healthy gums, only one in four took longer than a year, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology was told. Professor Hart said there was also evidence gum disease in men impaired their sperm quality.в
Saturday
Trying for a baby? Then brush your teeth as gum disease affects fertility
Gum disease or periodontal disease in its severe form is caused by a build-up of plaque.It leads to bad breath and bleeding gums and, if untreated, causes cavities, receding gums and tooth loss.Bleeding gums caused by failure to brush properly can allow up to 700 different types of bacteria to get into the bloodstream.It is not clear how gum disease may trigger problems with conceiving, but infected gums may release inflammatory chemicals, which activate the immune system and inflame the lining of the womb.This could affect implantation of a fertilised egg.'Women should be encouraged to see their dentist to have any gum disease treated before trying for a baby. The researchers questioned almost 4,000 women who were 12 weeks pregnant.A total of 26 per cent were confirmed to have gum disease. They found delays in conceiving among those aged 35 and over, smokers and obese women already known risk factors.But there was a higher level of gum disease one in three among the women who took more than a year to get pregnant.Of those who had healthy gums, only one in four took longer than a year, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology was told. Professor Hart said there was also evidence gum disease in men impaired their sperm quality.в
