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.
