One awful memory I have is the fact that I suffered from excess saliva (also called ptyalism or sialorrhea) during all three of my pregnancies (the entire time!!!) In order to get through each day I would go through an enormous amount of gum and sugary candies to prevent myself from feeling sick. So, if I wasn’t eating or drinking something I had candy or gum to keep me going. By the time of my third pregnancy my teeth had literally taken a beating.
But, perhaps my teeth didn’t suffer too much because saliva not only lubricates your mouth and produces enzymes that aid in digestion, it also contains proteins with antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that help protect your teeth and mouth. Seeing I had excess that could have been a good thing, despite the sugary beat downs.
Nevertheless, I remember reading about preterm labor and how it sometimes has to do with gum disease or other oral disease. To my surprise there were many conditions linked back to oral health. Here are just some:
Heart disease – Numerous research studies have shown a connection between heart disease and key bacteria in periodontal disease.
Diabetes – Approximately 95 percent of Americans who have diabetes also have periodontal disease and research shows that people with periodontal disease have more difficulty controlling their blood sugar level. Severe periodontal disease also can increase the risk of developing diabetes.
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