The oral microbiome and dental health during pregnancy: Impact on maternal and foetal health outcomes.

Hormonal and immune system changes during pregnancy may disrupt the resident oral microbiota causing dysbiosis that may render these women prone to gum health disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. This may in turn lead to systemic disorders, such as maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertension, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. Emerging evidence has associated dysbiosis of the oral microbiota during pregnancy with an imbalance and a preponderance of pathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum that may cause both placental and systemic inflammation. To mitigate the consequential adverse effects originating from poor oral health, some strategies have been proposed which include the use of probiotics, antimicrobial agents, laser therapy, and nanotechnology aimed at regulating a healthier oral microbiota to promote better overall health and pregnancy outcomes. This paper also highlights the importance of routine maternal oral health examination and management as a crucial inclusive component of antenatal care, which could positively impact on both the maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Advances and further research in this area will unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the oral dysbiosis, systemic interactions and the fundamental basis for newer therapies to curb oral health related disorders in pregnancy.