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Periodontal Disease Can Hinder Fertility

By Dr. Maryam Brazdo

Jun 12 2017

A new study out of the University of Helsinki found that one of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease may also affect a young woman’s fertility. This is the first study of its kind and it really drives the point home that taking care of your teeth is one of the most important thing you can do for the health of yourself and your family.

The Study

The bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been making a lot of cautionary waves in dental studies as of late. It’s been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland were curious how this disease affects young women’s odds of becoming pregnant. To test their hypothesis they studied 259 healthy women with a mean age of 29 years old. The women had recently decided to become pregnant and ceased using birth control. Oral and gynecological exams were performed at the beginning of the study and the women’s saliva was tested for for periodontal bacteria, and the presence of antibodies for those bacteria. After 12 months the women then reported back to discuss whether or not they had become pregnant. After analyzing the data, they found that women who did not become pregnant had statistically significantly higher levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. gingivalis, and higher levels of antibodies in their saliva. They acknowledge that this study does not question any other other factors of infertility, but it does further the research into the far-reaching effects of periodontal disease. It seems to add to the narrative of a systemic connection between periodontal disease and chronic conditions that affect the rest of the body.

A Note on Fertility

A woman’s reproductive years are very important if she desires to have children, and many women in the United States experience infertility. A woman has the best odds of becoming pregnant between the ages of 20 and 35. After 35 her fertility declines sharply, and as many as one in eight couples experience difficulty becoming pregnant after one year of deciding to have a child.  Unfortunately a woman’s fertility is a very complicated biological rhythm. Many physical and hormonal factors must line up exactly right for a couple to conceive. These findings of periodontal disease’s effects only add to the stress of becoming pregnant. However if we think about how detrimental low grade or chronic inflammation can be on the body, we can see that this disruption of the reproductive system makes sense. If the body is constantly fighting off harmful bacteria like P. gingivalis, it may not have the physical energy to produce the exact cocktail of hormones necessary to facilitate ovulation and reproduction – which seems to be the case.

Preventing Periodontal Disease for Pregnancy

Although it must be mentioned that there is a lot of research to be done to discover the exact reason why the bacteria present in periodontal disease can affect the fertility of a young woman, if you are looking to become pregnant taking care of your teeth is extremely important. In a recent blog post we discussed how a woman’s hormones play a direct role in the health of her mouth. The presence of progesterone is powerful for women and can affect their teeth and bodies. It is within your power to protect yourself from developing gum disease and periodontal disease while your hormones are influx. By brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing correctly every day you are effectively removing this bacteria before it has a chance to take hold of your immune system and cause chronic inflammation in your gums and elsewhere in your body. Speak with your Melbourne, Florida dentist if you are trying to become pregnant and wish to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Dr. Brazdo does her best to explain how important healthy teeth and gums are during pregnancy.

If you are experiencing puffy, bleeding gums and think you may have developed gum disease, or periodontal disease, don’t’ hesitate to make an appointment as fast as you can. It is this Melbourne, Florida dentist’s goal to protect her patients from harmful diseases and the dangerous side effects of periodontal disease.