[Periodontal health during pregnancy and the dental health of the child].

Abstract

Several studies have shown an association between local/systemic infections and preterm-low birth weight (PTLBW), and it might be an important part of the etiology. Oral Infections such as periodontitis may act as a distant reservoir of microbes, microbial products and inflammatory mediators. These might influence pregnancy and contribute to restriction of fetal growth and induction of early labor and PTB. Enamel formation of the primary teeth begins at 11-14 weeks of fetal life and is completed by the end of 3rd postnatal month. The initial phase consists of matrix formation, followed by calcification in utero. Since enamel is a stable structure, defects involving its matrix secretion and/or maturation of primary teeth can act as a permanent record of insults occurring pre- or perinatally. Any stressful event during pregnancy and birth may lead to metabolic changes in the formation of the enamel, resulting in clinically enamel defects. Severe infections occurring during amelogenesis may be associated with enamel hypoplasia. Babies born after maternal complications during pregnancy or babies who experience a traumatic birth must be considered to be at risk of developing Early Childhood Caries - ECC when exposed to excessive bottle nursing. Therefore oral healthcare should be kept during pregnancy.