PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND PREMATURE BIRTH PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND PRETERM BIRTH

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15951625240315

• Palavras-chave: periodontal disease, premature birth, intrauterine inflammation, maternal-fetal health.

• Keywords: periodontal disease, premature birth, intrauterine inflammation, maternal-fetal health.

• Abstract:

  Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory condition with a significant systemic impact and an association with gestational complications such as premature birth and low birth weight. The chronic inflammation of periodontitis raises pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, promoting an inflammatory environment that can compromise placental homeostasis. Epidemiological studies show a significant association between maternal periodontitis and adverse obstetric outcomes, highlighting the importance of prenatal dental screening. This study carried out a narrative literature review, searching the PubMed-MEDLINE database using specific descriptors combined by Boolean operators. The findings indicate that periodontitis can trigger intrauterine inflammation and negatively impact pregnancy. Therapeutic interventions, such as non-surgical periodontal treatment and local antimicrobials, have shown potential in reducing systemic inflammation and the risk of prematurity. However, low adherence to treatment and a lack of knowledge on the part of health professionals still pose challenges to the implementation of these strategies. Given this scenario, integrating periodontal health into prenatal care is essential to minimize gestational complications. Public policies and educational campaigns can raise awareness of the importance of periodontal screening and treatment during pregnancy, promoting better maternal-fetal outcomes.