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.