Want to get pregnant fast? Brush your teeth

London: Women who want to have a baby should take good care of their teeth, claim experts.

Gum disease could significantly delay the chances of conceiving, fertility specialists have found.

In the first study of its kind, researchers found women with gum disease took an extra two months to get pregnant compared with those who had healthy teeth and gums. It took around seven months on average for those with poor oral hygiene to conceive, but just five months for those who brushed and flossed their teeth properly.

Gum disease — or periodontal disease in its severe form — is caused by a build-up of plaque. It leads to bad breath and bleeding gums and, if untreated, causes cavities, receding gums and tooth loss.

Bacteria in bloodstream

Bleeding gums caused by failure to brush properly can allow up to 700 different types of bacteria to get into the bloodstream.

It is not clear how gum disease may trigger problems with conceiving, but infected gums may release inflammatory chemicals, which activate the immune system and inflame the lining of the womb. This could affect implantation of a fertilised egg.

Experts at the University of Western Australia in Perth who carried out the study said the delay was similar to that posed by being obese.

Lead researcher Professor Roger Hart said: "For the first time periodontal disease has been linked with inability to conceive. Women should be encouraged to see their dentist to have any gum disease treated before trying for a baby."