In plain words
Prevotella intermedia is a type of bacteria that lives in the plaque along the gumline. It is one of the bacteria linked with gum inflammation. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone helps it grow. It also makes the immune response in the gums a little weaker, so the gums react more to the bacteria. That is why gum swelling and bleeding can increase in the second and third trimesters. Good brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings help keep the bacteria in check. Research has looked at whether gum bacteria affect pregnancy outcomes, but the links are not yet clear. A dentist can check your gums and suggest care that fits your pregnancy.
The deeper version
Prevotella intermedia is a gram-negative anaerobe of the subgingival microbiota and a principal species associated with periodontal inflammation. Progesterone serves as a growth substrate for the organism, and maternal hormones alter local immunity through reduced neutrophil chemotaxis and altered cytokine release, including interleukin-6 and (Socransky and Haffajee, 2005, on periodontal microbial ecology). Its relative abundance rises in the second and third trimesters in longitudinal sampling. Whether periodontal bacteria contribute causally to preterm birth or low birth weight remains debated, with observational associations and mixed intervention trial results. The main controversy concerns whether microbial shifts in pregnancy are cause, consequence, or marker of inflammation.
Where it comes up
- Dental care in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Bleeding gums and nosebleedsPregnancy: Your Body
- Short cervix and signs of preterm laborPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about Prevotella intermedia
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Socransky SS, Haffajee AD — Periodontal microbial ecology. Periodontology 2000 (2005)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion 569: Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan (2013)