A Link Between Fertility and Oral Health

Unless you’re an OB-Gyne or a dentist yourself, you probably wouldn’t be able to identify the link between caring for your oral health and your fertility rate. Nonetheless, studies have shown that there seems to be a definitive link for both.

Studies claim that women who want to become pregnant should keep up with optimum dental hygiene practices. Tests on approximately 3,400 pregnant women found that those with gum disease took an average of two months longer to conceive than those without periodontal problems.

A further look into this scenario yielded that leaving tartar and plaque in the gums will cause gingivitis, therefore causing gums to bleed. This in turn can also lead to periodontitis, or an inflammation around the teeth. The bacteria that caused all of these can then be transferred to the bloodstream, affecting the rest of your body—including your reproductive system—making it hard for you to conceive. Clearly, your teeth aren’t the only thing at risk from poor oral health.

Visiting a dentist can help prevent all of these from happening. You and your partner should have your mouth checked for possible gum disease. Also, when you inform the dentist that you are trying to conceive, they can avoid prescribing medicine that could possibly affect your fertility. A trusted dentist can also give you advice on how to keep your mouth healthy, whether before, during, and after pregnancy.