Posted on 03/23/2005 4:44:59 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Pregnant women with poor oral health are more likely to deliver prematurely, researchers report.
Their study of nearly 300 women found a significant association between high levels of an oral bacterium, Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 2 -- associated with tooth decay -- and risk of delivering preterm low birth weight babies.
This is the first research to link preterm delivery with oral bacteria other than the bacteria that cause gum disease. The findings add to growing evidence that a woman's oral health affects the health of her newborn.
A tenfold increase in bacterial levels was associated with a 60-gram decrease in birth weight and about a 1.19 day decrease in the length of pregnancy, researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry report in the latest issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
In a prepared statement, lead researcher Dr. Ananda P. Dasanayake hypothesized that oral bacteria associated with tooth decay and cavities may travel to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the bacteria, along with molecules called proinflammatory mediators (released by the body in response to the bacteria), could lead to uterine contractions and cervical dilation.
She speculated that when the cervix is dilated, more bacteria enter -- eventually causing the uterine membranes to rupture, resulting in preterm birth.
Correlation does NOT equal causality.
Not to mention a host of other possibillities for whatever the stats may be. . .
Those evil Cavity Creeps strike again!
Untrue! 'Mother-spit' is the universal solvent. Eye-boogers, ketchup stains, smudges--you name it.
I presume hubby or S.O. mouth germs were ruled out?
This could explain the low population of West VA.
Then again, Europe could disprove this theory.
Of course. The may in the findings is how they will continue to receive grant funding for more specious "research."
I have a hypothesis on how many morons it takes to create a study, get funding for it and then never really come up with a direct correlation. Where do I apply for my grant money?
It may be that women who do not take take of their teeth, do not take care of their health in general.
I want to share in some of the grant money, too!!!!!!!!!!!
It never mattered how obsessive I was about clean teeth, mouth, gums - my teeth were always cavity prone - as are those of many other members of my family. Except my brother - he had horrendous habits about his mouth and rarely ever had a cavity.
You had big babies - God Bless you. I have 1 and she came in just shy of 6 pounds and 18.5 inches long. The fact that I only weighed about 105-110 when I conceived probably has nothing to do with that :)
Seems like an obvious conclusion, doesn't it? Wonder why they didn't mention it.
I guess oral sex is out, then.
AHHHHHH....HAHAHAHAHAHHHHHH!!! I heard that the toothbrush was invented in W. Va. It was theorized that had it been invented anywhere else on earth, it would have been called a teethbrush.
Many pregnant women have a diffucult time maintaining adequate plaque control due to nausea and a heightened gag reflex. Some women resort to having to brush with only plain water and a baby toothbrush. When gums bleed, plaque bacteria get into the bloodstream. In a normal, healthy individual this doesn't present a problem, but who knows what effect it has on the fetus.
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