As if bad breath wasn’t enough, now add pregnancy complications to the bad breath list. Periodontal disease, which causes bad breath, has been linked to premature babies with low birth weights.

So far, studies have not yet shown an actual causal relationship between periodontal disease and the pregnancy complication of premature babies, but there is definitely a link between the two. It seems that pregnant women with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to deliver a premature, low birth weight baby.

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. Most of the time periodontal disease is caused by bacteria and plaque that reside below the gum line. This bacteria is odor-causing, and can lead to bad breath. The bacteria create sulfur compounds that produce a rank odor. This creates bad breath, pregnant or not.

The number one cause of bad breath is odor-forming bacteria. Once this bacteria is detected on the breath, the process of periodontal disease may already be under way. This is why it is imperative that pregnant women be very aware of their breath. Bad breath is merely an indicator that they may have periodontal disease. If it goes undetected or untreated, pregnancy complications may arise.

Pregnancy complications due to bad breath/periodontal disease are easily preventable. Regular trips to the dentist are imperative during the course of a pregnancy. One trip is necessary, but two trips are ideal.

Pregnant women should also be sure to brush their teeth twice a day to remove excess bacteria. Flossing once a day has also been shown to remove the bacteria toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Changes in body chemistry make the body’s environment more susceptible to odor causing bacteria. Extra oral precaution is imperative to prevent pregnancy complications.

A woman’s body becomes host to another being when she is pregnant. If oral health wasn’t a priority for you before you were pregnant, make it a priority now. You owe it to your baby. Preventing bad breath and periodontal disease will help prevent any pregnancy complications.