Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Is Gum Disease Affecting Your Chances of Getting Pregnant?

29 April 2016

Duane Kelly

There are many reasons why some women find it harder to get pregnant than others. If your doctor is finding it hard to pinpoint what your problem is, it may be worth talking to your dentist. There is some evidence that gum disease may affect your ability to fall pregnant quickly or that it may interfere with infertility treatments. How does gum disease influence your ability to conceive?

Gum Disease May Influence Conception Time

If you have untreated gum disease, the bacteria that is causing problems in your gums and around your teeth may go on to pass into your bloodstream. This bacteria may then go on to adversely affect other areas of your body. For example, gum disease has been linked with a higher risk of heart disease.

There is also some evidence that gum disease may also increase the time it takes for women to fall pregnant. An Australian study, SMILE, found that it took women with gum disease an average of two months longer to conceive than women with no gum problems.

Gum Disease May Affect Infertility Treatments

If you can't conceive naturally and are having infertility treatment, gum disease may also affect the success of your treatment. Again, if you have gum-related bacteria in your system, it may cause infections. You may not feel any adverse effects in yourself and may feel fine; however, bacterial infections may have a negative effect on embryo implantation and development, reducing the chances that you can get or stay pregnant this way.

Get Your Gums Checked

If you're having problems conceiving, it may be worth visiting your dentist to have your gums checked. This is especially important if you have some or all of the following problems:

• Bleeding when you brush your teeth.
• Swollen or tender gums.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Receding gums.
• Teeth that feel a little looser than they should.

If you have gum disease, your dentist will be able to treat it. If this was causing you conception problems, it may then help you go on to get pregnant.

Tip: It's also important to remember that your gums need extra care once you're carrying a baby. Pregnancy hormones make it harder for your teeth to manage plaque, a primary cause of gum disease. This increases the chances that you'll develop problems with your gums when you're pregnant. As well as affecting your own gum health, gum disease in pregnancy has been linked to premature births. To prevent problems, make sure to have regular dental check-ups and to maintain a daily brushing and flossing routine.

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