Infants born prematurely in the U. S. account for six to nine percent of all births, but 70 percent of all prenatal deaths. The National Institutes of Health reports that as many as 18 percent of the 250,000 premature low-weight infants born in this country each year may be the result of inflammatory gum disease. Surprisingly, this is about the same as the percentage explained by cigarette smoking.
Studies show that pregnant women with severe gum disease have seven times the risk of delivering a low-birth weight baby. These pregnancy complications may be partially preventable through improved oral health during pregnancy. It only makes sense to safeguard your oral health, and your baby's, through proper oral health care.
