Research: How a dysbiotic oral microbiome is linked to complications during pregnancy

Quick Summary: A recent review paper suggests good oral hygiene is really important during pregnancy, or earlier still, from pre-conception. This could help prevent the inflammatory response during pregnancy.

Fascinating review paper highlights the importance of really good oral hygiene especially during pregnancy and even earlier, pre-conception. This could help prevent the inflammatory response during pregnancy.

The paper by Saadaoui M et al. (2021) discusses the relationship between a dysbiotic oral microbiome and complications during pregnancy.

The review finds that a growing body of evidence supports the link between the oral microbiome and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, low birth weight among others.

The oral microbiome describes the microorganisms in the oral cavity covering: the lips, hard and soft palate (the boney and muscular portion of the roof of your mouth), the area behind the wisdom teeth, the tongue, gums, immer lining of the cheeks and lips and the floor of the mouth under the tongue.

Here are some of the highlights from the paper:

• After the gut, the oral cavily contains the second most complex microbial population within…