Periodontal disease and pre-eclampsia: a systematic review.

Summary: Doctors have long suspected a link between gum disease (periodontal disease) and pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. The theory is that the low-grade inflammation caused by gum infection might trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body, affecting the pregnancy.

A comprehensive review of medical literature looked at 12 observational studies and 3 rigorous clinical trials. While observational studies often showed a connection between the two conditions, the more rigorous trials told a different story. Treating gum disease during pregnancy did not lower the rate of pre-eclampsia. This suggests that gum disease might not cause the complication; instead, the stress of pre-eclampsia might worsen gum health, or perhaps pregnancy itself triggers inflammation in both areas. While oral health is important, treating it doesn't appear to be a cure for pre-eclampsia.