Question:
I've obviiously been reading too much. Here is
the preterm labor quiz: Without knowing anything about
the condition of the pregnant what is the most
effective treatment to reduce the incidence?
Answer:
There has been a resurgence of interest in recent years in the systemic
effects of oral infections such as periodontal diseases. The study of the
various means by which periodontal infections and inflammation may influence
a variety of systemic conditions is collectively referred to as periodontal
medicine. The periodontium responds to tooth-borne biofilm (dental plaque)
by the process of inflammation. Dental biofilms release a variety of
biologically active products, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides
(endotoxins), chemotactic peptides, protein toxins, and organic acids. These
molecules stimulate the host to produce a variety of responses, among them
the production and release of potent agents known as cytokines. These
include interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-8, prostaglandins, and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha. There is a spectrum of periodontal response to these
molecules, from mild gingivitis to severe destructive periodontitis. These
and other host products and responses may influence a variety of important
disease pathways, including atherosclerosis, mucosal inflammation, and
premature parturition. The purpose of this article is to review the possible
biological pathways by which periodontal diseases may influence these
disease processes.
Not just brushing, you need to floss too. My midwife with my 4th baby
said that she thinks my preterm labour with #3 was likely due to my
systemic viral load (had a really, really bad cold that turned into
sinusitis) so there's another potential way to avoid having a premmie
baby - get antibiotics _before_ your third week straight of a bad
cold.
I do that too. What keeps me from brushing, is that I force myself to
floss every time I brush. I just don't want all that trouble, but knowing
it is for a very good cause, I will floss every evening. And I will brush
at least twice a day.
