The Surprising Link Between Oral Health and Fertility

Did you know that what's happening in your mouth could affect your ability to conceive and impact your baby's health? Recent research has revealed that the connection between oral health, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes is stronger than most of us realize—and it applies to both partners trying to conceive.

Why Your Smile Matters for Baby-Making

That lingering gum inflammation isn't just about potential tooth loss—it could actually impact your reproductive health. Your mouth hosts a complex community of microorganisms (your oral microbiome), and when this balance is disrupted, harmful bacteria can enter your bloodstream and directly invade the fetal-placental unit. This triggers an inflammatory response throughout your body, potentially interfering with conception and healthy pregnancy.

Here's what you need to know:

• A balanced oral microbiome is vital for healthy pregnancy outcomes

• The severity of periodontal disease directly correlates with pregnancy complication risk

• Oral bacteria can directly invade the fetal-placental unit through the bloodstream

• Maternal oral bacteria can be transmitted to infants, affecting their future oral health

• Men with periodontal disease often show reduced sperm quality and count

• Pregnancy complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia are linked to oral microbiome imbalances

Quick Actions for Fertility-Friendly Oral Health

Taking care of your mouth isn't just about fresh breath—it's about creating the optimal environment for conception and healthy pregnancy:

1. Schedule regular dental check-ups, especially when planning pregnancy

2. Step up your daily oral hygiene routine with thorough brushing and flossing

3. Treat any existing gum disease before trying to conceive

4. Be aware that pregnancy hormones can make you more susceptible to gingivitis

5. Remember that your oral health during pregnancy affects both you and your developing baby

6. Talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating oral health into your preconception care

High-Risk Pathogens

Certain oral pathogens have been linked to fertility issues and pregnancy complications. These include:

• Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

• Porphyromonas gingivalis

• Tannerella forsythia

• Treponema denticola

Dr. Mina Levi specializes in testing and treating the specific oral pathogens associated with fertility and pregnancy complications in her San Francisco practice. Her comprehensive screening can identify harmful bacteria that standard dental exams might miss, and her targeted treatment protocols help eliminate these pathogens before they impact reproductive health—for both men and women.

Surprisingly, despite the well-researched connection between oral health and fertility, many dentists don't know about this critical link. This knowledge gap means you may need to specifically seek out experts like Dr. Levi who understand and address these connections in their practice.

Your journey to parenthood might start with something as simple as improving your oral health habits. The mouth-body connection is real, and your reproductive system is listening!

Looking for the right dentist in your area who understands the oral health-fertility connection? Want to learn more about holistic approaches to fertility? Join WOVA for evidence-based guidance on your reproductive journey.

References:

1. Boggess KA, Edelstein BL. Oral health in women during preconception and pregnancy: implications for birth outcomes and infant oral health. Matern Child Health J. 2006;10(5)

2. Xu P, Han X. Oral bacteria, oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;12:934645.