Successful routine periodontal treatment (scaling and root
planing plus oral hygiene instruction) is associated with a
decreased incidence of spontaneous preterm birth in the
population studied in this trial. The adjusted odds ratio
was 6.01 in this high-risk population (predominantly African-American
women who had never visited a dentist for
tooth cleaning). Although these data are strictly applicable
to this population only, they indicate that pregnant women
with periodontal disease should be offered conservative
periodontal therapy, as it is safe, and, if successful, may
reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth.