I have been diagnosed with periodontal disease. My dentist said this could lead to a low birth weight baby or preterm labor. Kim Loos, DDS Dr. Kimberly A. Loos practices general dentistry in San Jose, California. She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line.
Recent evidence shows that periodontal disease has an effect on several systemic conditions.
SPB usually results in low birth weight. Even with advances in prenatal care, the occurrence of SPB has not decreased in the last four decades. It accounts for about 10 percent of all live births. The link between SPB and periodontal disease is a fairly new discovery. More studies definitely need to explore this association.