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Utah's Foremost Platform for Undergraduate Research Presentation
2022 Abstracts

Periodontal Disease to Preterm Birth

Presenters: Coryn Bodily
Authors: Coryn Bodily, Kaycee Rogers
Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Jensen
Institution: Dixie State University

The question that is being researched and inquired is, “For a patient with periodontal disease, what microbes contribute to the birth of premature babies and low birth weight?” There is a limited amount of knowledge on periodontal disease and how it can affect the human body. The research that was conducted included research that focused on periodontal disease and how it can develop during pregnancy. It was found that there is a positive relationship between periodontal disease progression and pregnancy. Many pregnant women all around the world develop some form of pregnancy gingivitis or periodontal disease throughout their pregnancy. These mothers do not realize that it can have major effects on the development of their unborn child and lead to birth defects. The keywords for our search parameters will include; periodontal disease, birth abnormalities, preterm birth, low birth weight, prostaglandins, gingivitis, Prevotella Intermedia, and Prevotella Nigrescens. Throughout our research we used PubMed and there were three systematic reviews that concluded Prevotella Intermedia and Nigrescensare biomes that are found in periodontal disease and can lead to preterm birth and low birth weight. These primary sources also concluded that there is an increase in prostaglandins during periodontal disease and those prostaglandins enter the bloodstream and cause a catalyst reaction, thus leading to preterm birth and low birth weight. As dental hygienists, it is our responsibility to provide anticipatory guidance and education to pregnant mothers about the relationship between periodontal disease and significant birth defects.