To give birth on time... watch your teeth!

American scientists have discovered a connection between gum disease and the risk of premature birth. According to a study conducted by University of Alabama dentist Merjorie Jeffcoat, advanced gum disease affects 22 percent of pregnant women. In this group, premature birth occurred in 9 percent of cases, whereas in the absence of dental pathology - in only 1 out of 100 women.

According to Kim Harms, a representative of the American Dental Association, increased gum vulnerability in pregnant women is associated with hormonal changes in the body. Focal infection in the oral cavity is accompanied by increased production of biologically active substances - prostaglandins and cytokines, which, when entering the placenta, cause uterine contractions and premature birth.

Experts recommend contacting dentists already in the first weeks of pregnancy to remove tartar and outline a plan for further monitoring.