“Ideally, women should begin their pregnancy without periodontal infections, and they should be educated and motivated to maintain a high level of oral hygiene prior to and throughout pregnancy,” according to Dr. Nestor J. Lopex, Professor of the University of Chile. “If periodontal infection is diagnosed at any time during pregnancy, the treatment should be administered as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of perterm birth and low birth weight.”

Prematurity is defined as a birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Low birth weight babies weigh less than 5 lbs., 8 oz. These phenomena are connected and in total, affect about 18% of all births.

Because of hormone levels, pregnant women are far more disposed to gingivitis than the general population and it is estimated that 50% of pregnant women have gum disease to some extent. Dr. Lopez explained, “We found a significant association between gingivities and pre-term birth after adjusting for the major risk factors for per-term delivery, suggesting that gingivitis, the earliest form of periodontal disease, is an independent risk factor for preterm birth and low birth weight infant rates by 68 percent in women with pregnancy-associated gingivitis”.

Aware of the significance of the research with regards to periodontal disease and pregnancy complications, Cigna Health Care began their Oral Health Maternity Program. Their hope is to encourage pregnant members to have an oral health exam and to seek needed treatment for gum disease. Since it’s inception in 2006, other dental insurance companies have gotten on the bandwagon with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant members.