Relationship between pregnancy and Periodontitis

Given the profound perturbations in the maternal immune system during pregnancy and the postpartum period, it is not surprising that the clinical and biological features of periodontal infections are affected. Some of the pregnancy-induced immunological modifications in the mother increase her susceptibility to a number of infections, including periodontal disease. It also appears that periodontal infections, at least in some populations, can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Such outcomes include pre-term birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, delivery of a small for-gestational-age infant, and fetal loss. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature associated with the relationship between pregnancy and periodontal disease.