Pregnant women reminded of oral health importance

Posted by Joanne Mellor

Dental marketing campaigns may be set to target pregnant women after a new piece of research revealed women with severe gum disease are more likely to suffer with hypertension.

Gum disease has long been linked to a wide range of other health issues and the British Dental Health Foundation noted that the new study – which was published in the Journal of Periodontology – shows the importance of pregnant women maintaining a high level of oral health.

Chief executive of the body Dr Nigel Carter stated that while the study is inconclusive, it indicates a link is there to be investigated further.

“If a good oral hygiene routine means mums to be experience less problems during their pregnancy, it is important to educate this particular group about how they can go about doing just that,” he said.

Researchers who conducted a study in Taiwan recently found that there are links between psoriasis and gum disease.