Fertility and Oral Health

Did you know that in the past five years, studies have shown a direct link between poor oral health and infertility? If you are someone who is planning on having a child anytime soon, here are some important facts you need to know about your reproductive system and your teeth.

The Link between Teeth and Fertility

In 2011, in the annual European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm, an Australian professor explained the direct connection between poor oral health and infertility. The study was done in Western Australia where more than 3,000 pregnant women were tested. Each one was given a dental examination to see how their oral health condition was. Among those who had poor oral health, it was found that the length of trying for conception was around two months longer as compared to those who had healthy teeth. It also showed that non-Caucasian women who had poor dental health took more than one year to become pregnant. The researchers claimed that gingivitis had the same negative effect on female fertility as obesity.

However, women aren’t the only ones affected by this problem. It has been found that men lose a significant quantity of healthy sperm if they have poor oral health. These men had the case of bacteriospermia, or bacteria present in the semen. Bacteria can kill healthy sperm and result in infertility or the non-capacity to impregnate. Since the sperm are already dead, they could no longer fertilize an egg cell.

Why Does Poor Oral Health Cause Infertility?

The main reason that fertility is negatively affected by gum infection is because of the bacteria present in the blood stream. Any kind of infection is still an infection even if it’s on the teeth or gums. The infected cells can travel from the teeth or gums and into the bloodstream, affecting all of the primary organs. This is also the reason why people with poor dental health have a higher risk of acquiring heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The more severe the gum disease is, the more infection can spread throughout the body. Unfortunately, ordinary antibiotics can’t completely eradicate gum infection and gingivitis. If not treated ahead of time, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which requires surgery to be treated. Not only is this expensive, but it will also require downtime that can affect your work and social relationships.

Preconception Reminders for Optimal Dental Health

Now that you know how important good dental health is for fertility, here are some important tips to follow if you want to have a child soon:

1. Before trying to conceive, visit our clinic. You and your partner should come in for a dental examination to ensure that your body is ready to reproduce. If you have unhealthy teeth and gums, our dental team will do our best to provide proper treatment and restore the optimal health of your mouth.
2. Always visit our clinic every six months. After treatment, this doesn’t guarantee that your reproductive health will improve immediately. This is why it’s necessary to receive regular dental care and treatment. If you plan on having more than one child, this is also an important step in maintaining the oral health of your entire family.
3. If you are having fertility problems, get your teeth cleaned. If you are already trying to conceive but have yet to achieve your goal, seek dental care and assistance. This will help increase your chances of getting pregnant.

If you would like to discuss fertility with our dental staff, just give us a call at (503) 563-7454. Dr. Bronitsky will be the one to provide the best dental treatment so that you can successfully conceive.

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