In the presence of gum disease, infectious organisms are continually swallowed which affect many distant organs throughout the body, but can also affect and interfere with the normal status of pregnancy and labor, through bacterially induced inflammation by the physical and disruptive forces. In a healthy pregnancy the mother and the fetus exchange nutrients and waste through the umbilical chord which connects the placenta of the mother to the fetus. Such described infection can promote contractions of the uterus and unexpected dilation and delivery which can also disrupt the normal required tightly regulated regional hormonal influences. Bacteria from the mouth have been specifically identified in patients suffering from premature labor or giving birth to babies with low birth weight. Therefore, a combination of just these local complications can place the mother and child at risk, for pregnancy outcomes.
