Poor oral health can lead to premature labour

Manama : Poor oral health, mainly gum diseases, can lead to premature labour, says Dr. Harilal P.V., Specialist Endodontist, at RBH Medical Center – Riffa.

“Poor oral health has been tied to pregnancy problems these days,” he said, adding that it can lead to premature labour (delivery earlier than 37 weeks of gustation) and at times low weight of birth baby.

Dr. Harilal has recently composed a medical study including a detailed and comprehensive research on oral health for pregnant women, highlighting its causes, effects and ways of preventing such problems.

Addressing the symptoms and causes of gum problems, he explained, “Pain, redness or swollen gums are few indications of gum diseases. Other symptoms include gums that bleed while brushing or eating, bad breath and loose teeth. All these issues are mainly caused by the bacteria, and their byproducts.”

As tips to avoid gum diseases, Dr. Harilal recommends that pregnant women should undergo regular dental checkups, scaling, brushing and flossing after every snack, as well as to drink more water and avoid carbonated beverages. 

Moreover, pregnant women should avoid excessive snacking and sugary food in between meals, said Dr. Harilal. He advised that if the pregnant woman likes chewing gum, then she should opt for sugarless chewing gum that has teeth friendly xylitol in it. Xylitol helps decrease acid levels in the mouth. 

“Just Remember… everything is shared between a baby and the mother, and at the end of the nine months, maintaining a clean and healthy mouth will put a smile on your newborn’s face,” he pointed out.

Dr. Harilal P.V. has more than 23 years of rich experience of which 8 years in Bahrain. As a qualified Endodontist, he has specialised in diagnosing and treating various dental issues including his specialisation on painless root canal procedures.