Pregnancy complications reduced by better oral hygiene

Expecting mothers could reduce the risk of complications in their pregnancies and new-born babies by paying closer attention to oral hygiene, according to medical professionals.

Researchers from Queen Mary University in London found bacteria from a mother’s mouth can find its way into the amniotic fluid and blood in the womb.

This could lead to complications including premature on-set of contractions and delivery, as well as infection or low birth weight in a newborn child.

Speaking at the Society for General Microbiology in Harrogate today, Queen Mary University’s Cecilia Gonzales-Marin said better oral hygiene could reduce these risks.

Ms Gonzales-Marin’s study tested the stomach contents of 57 newborn babies and found 46 different types of bacteria.

Two of these – Granulicatella elegans and Streptococcus sinensis – were bacteria normally found in the mouth, which are known to be able to enter the blood and have been associated with infections such as infective endocarditis.

Ms Gonzales-Marin said: “Our research group is using DNA techniques to confirm if bacteria from the newborn matches the bacteria in the respective mother’s mouth.”