Pregnant women should rememer to maintain good oral health.

Pregnant women have been urged to ensure they maintain a good standard of oral health during the pregnancy after it emerged that bacteria from the mouth could play a part in premature births.

Researchers at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, noted a link between premature birth and gum disease and therefore urged all women to ensure they brush regularly, floss and use mouthwash.

The report noted: “Pregnant women who do not visit dentists, or maintain oral health and allow oral bacteria to go unchecked are under the risk of having pre-term babies or babies with low birth weight.”

Elsewhere, John E Peterson recently wrote in a blog for the Emporia Gazette that the mouth contains more than 700 different kinds of bacteria and left unchecked these can multiply – especially in areas where brushing cannot reach – and cause tooth decay.

Therefore, it is important for Brits to floss regularly in order to get into areas which brushing alone cannot reach.