CHICAGO—April 10, 2007—Two new studies in the Journal of Periodontology explore the possible link between periodontal bacteria and coronary artery disease as well as periodontal bacteria and preeclampsia. These studies found that periodontal bacteria, which is often invisible to the naked eye, may account for big effects on general health conditions.

Periodontal bacteria have often been thought to play a role in many of the possible connections between oral health and overall health. Two of the studies in this month’s issue of the JOP further the understanding of these potential connections. One study looked at patients who had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease and examined the bacteria found in their arteries. They were able to identify periodontal pathogens in the coronary and internal mammary arteries in 9 out of 15 of the patients examined.

A second study looked at women who had suffered from preeclampsia during their pregnancy, a condition characterized by an abrupt rise in blood pressure that affects about 5% of pregnancies. The study found that 50% of the placentas from women with preeclampsia were positive for one or more periodontal pathogens. This was compared to just 14.3% in the control group. Both of these studies support the concept that periodontal organisms might be associated with the development of other systemic conditions such as coronary artery disease and preeclampsia.

“These studies are just a few in the growing body of evidence on the mouth-body connection. More research is needed to fully understand how periodontal bacteria travels from the mouth to other parts of the body as well as the exact role it has in the development of these systemic diseases,” said Dr. Preston D. Miller, DDS, and AAP president. “In the meantime it is important for physicians, dental professionals and patients alike to monitor the research in this area as it continues to grow so they can better work together to achieve the highest levels of overall health.”

To find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases please visit the AAP’s Web site and take a free risk assessment test. A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including ones titled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know and Ask Your Periodontist about Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

CHICAGO–May 1, 2007– There is good news today for pregnant women: a study in this month’s issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) showed that periodontal therapy may significantly reduce the risk of delivering a preterm low birth weight baby for women with periodontal disease. Study Abstract *

The study looked at 328 pregnant women with periodontal disease and 122 periodontally healthy women. Periodontal treatment was performed during the second trimester of pregnancy on 266 of the women with periodontal disease. Sixty-two women dropped out of treatment. Postpartum follow up on all 450 subjects showed that 79% of the women with untreated periodontal disease had delivered a preterm low birth weight baby compared to only 7.5% of the periodontally treated women and 4.1% of the healthy women.

“Our study showed that performing periodontal therapy on pregnant women who have periodontal disease may reduce the risk of preterm delivery to equal that of periodontally healthy women,” explained study author Catia M. Gazolla, DDS. “These are important findings that we hope all pregnant women will take to their dental professionals when discussing their periodontal health.”

“These findings are interesting, as they come on the heels of another study appearing in the May issue of the JOP that showed the effects of high levels of periodontal bacteria during pregnancy on increased risk for preterm delivery,” said Preston D. Miller, DDS and AAP president. “These studies and others continue to strengthen the idea that women should consider a periodontal evaluation as part of their prenatal care.”

To asses your oral health, take the AAP’s online test to assess your gum disease risk. A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Maintaining Periodontal Health Throughout a Woman’s Life are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM (800-356-7736) or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

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CHICAGO–July 3, 2007–A study appearing in the July issue of the Journal of Periodontology identified bacteria commonly found in the mouth and associated with periodontal diseases in the amniotic fluid of some pregnant women. Study Abstract *

The study, which evaluated 26 pregnant women with a diagnosis of threatened premature labor, found the presence of periodontal bacteria, P. Gingivalis, in both the oral cavity and amniotic fluid in 30% of the women. Amniotic fluid is a liquid that surrounds an unborn baby during pregnancy. Any disruptions in the amniotic fluid, such as a bacterial infection, could potentially be dangerous to both the mother and baby.

“We evaluated women who were at risk of premature labor,” said study author Gorge Gamonal, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile. “We know that there are many reasons a woman can be diagnosed with threatened premature labor, including bacterial infection. Past research has shown a relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes and periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection.”

“While this study’s findings do not show a direct causal relationship between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes, it is still important for women to pay special attention to their oral health during pregnancy,” explained Preston D. Miller, DDS and AAP president. “Woman who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should speak with their dental and health care professionals about their oral health during pregnancy.”

To safeguard your health, take the AAP’s online test to assess your gum disease risk. A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM (800-356-7736) or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

Be sure to also keep in mind this “pocket size” guide to periodontal health: periodontal pockets of one to two millimeters with no bleeding are not a concern, but pockets of three and four millimeters may need a more in-depth cleaning called scaling and root planing.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO–November 12, 2007–With November being National Prematurity Awareness month, two new studies in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) emphasize the importance of expectant mothers taking extra care of their oral health.

Researchers have long speculated that women with periodontal diseases may have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. One study of 3,576 Turkish women found that those with periodontal disease were at a greater risk for having a low birth weight and preterm birth babies than those without periodontal disease. In addition, a second study found that nonsurgical treatments for periodontal disease can actually reduce a woman’s risk for delivering preterm.

“Our study found that treating a woman’s periodontal disease decreased her chances of having her baby early by almost 50%,” explained study author Fouzia Tarannum, BDS, M.R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, India. “Our research suggests that treatment of periodontal diseases can help the health of the mother and her baby.”

“The AAP is dedicated to increasing awareness about the relationship between periodontal diseases and pregnancy,” said Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Women should be sure to brush and floss daily, and see their dental health professional regularly if possible before and certainly during their pregnancy. Working as a team, the dental professional and expectant mother will be able to help deliver a full-term, healthy and happy baby.”

Much is being done to help prevent preterm low birth weight births. In honor of National Prematurity Month the AAP has teamed up with the March of Dimes to help support their “Every Baby Has a Story” campaign, aimed at educating expecting mothers about premature births.

To safeguard your health, take the AAP’s online test to assess your gum disease risk. A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM (800-356-7736) or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO–January 30, 2009–Research recently presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine found that routine periodontal treatment in pregnant women did not reduce the risk of preterm deliveries. Some previous studies in this area have suggested that periodontal therapy during pregnancy can lessen the chance of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

While the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has not yet received the opportunity to review the complete study findings, it continues to urge women to care for their periodontal health while pregnant, through regular tooth brushing and flossing, and routine visits to a periodontist to screen for periodontal disease.

These study results demonstrate the need for additional research to clarify the potential impact that periodontal disease has on the risk of preterm births; and if needed, what periodontal treatment modalities are most effective in helping to prevent premature deliveries.

As the organization representing over 8,000 dentists specially trained in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, the AAP is eager to analyze the complete study results, and provide women with accurate and effective recommendations on the management of periodontal disease during pregnancy.

For more information, please contact the AAP’s Public Relations Office at 312-573-3242 or meg@perio.org.