Treating gum disease does not decrease a woman's risk of preterm birth, according to a recent study. The research, overseen by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, looked at 1,800 pregnant women with periodontal disease. The women were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which received periodontal treatment before 23 weeks gestation, while the other received no treatment. Overall, the two groups showed no significant differences in obstetric or neonatal outcomes.

Dr Amy Murtha, Director of Obstetrics research at Duke University Medical Center, one of the medical schools participating in the study, said that the biggest implication of the research was that this level of standard periodontal care would not affect the birth outcome.

She added, 'That's not to say pregnant women should not get dental exams and treatment as needed; they should. Our study emphasises that treating periodontal disease during pregnancy is safe, but that standard periodontal care is not enough to reduce the risk of preterm birth.' She suggested that preterm birth and gum disease may share a common underlying trait, such as an exaggerated inflammatory response.

The study was presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine annual meeting, in San Diego.