Telemundo Preview: Spanish TV News Report to Highlight Dental Health During Pregnancy

Studies show that pregnant women with periodontal disease (a serious gum infection that destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold teeth in the mouth) may be seven times more likely to have a baby born too early and too small.

That's because oral bacteria produces a labor-inducing chemical called prostaglandin.

To bring attention to the importance of prenatal oral health, First 5 LA and Telemundo Los Angeles will present a TV news feature this Wednesday on the weekly  "Primeros Pasos" series on pregnancy and infant development.

Scheduled to air between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on KVEA, Channel 52, the video package will show pregnant women at a WIC Center at an oral health workshop and follow Telemundo anchorwoman Lucia Navarro to a dental exam by Glendale dentist, Beatriz Tobon.

"If you're diagnosed with periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend a common non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing, which cleans tooth and gum surfaces of plaque and tartar to eliminate bacterial toxins," said Dr. Tobon.

Research suggests that scaling and root planing may reduce the risk of preterm births in pregnant women with periodontal disease. The procedure may also alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with pregnancy gingivitis, such as swelling and tenderness of the gums.

According to the March of Dimes, premature births have soared to become the number one obstetric problem in the United States. Many premature babies come into the world with serious health problems, including life-long conditions, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and blindness.

To learn more about periodontal disease during pregnancy, click here.