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: At least 20% of preterm labor is caused by infections, and dental care including peridontia, does the most to reduce the incidence of undiagnosed infections.

Here's someone who will be brushing her teeth on a regular basis from now on... For a dentist's daughter I am really bad with my dental hygiene :\

"DOES the most to reduce the incidence of undiagnosed infections" is not necessarily the same as "the most effective treatment to reduce the incidence [of preterm labor]" - even if dental care reduces infections - right?

You must have a study, though.

Could you cite a study?

Farrell et al. wrote in 2004 regarding a population they studied:

"There was no association between either preterm birth or low birth weight and periodontal disease in this population."

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.

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