You might be tracking your cycle. You might be taking prenatals, getting your body ready, or even weighing fertility treatments.
But here’s something almost no one—doctors included—talks about:
Your mouth may be playing a role.
If you’re trying to conceive (or thinking about it), you deserve to know what the science actually says about oral health and fertility. Because the connection is real—and almost no one is talking about it.
The Link Between Oral Health and Fertility
Gum disease—bleeding gums, bad breath, inflammation—has been linked to longer time to conception.
A large-scale 2011 Australian cohort study followed over 3,700 women and found that those with periodontal disease took two months longer to conceive than those without it. The delay was even longer for non-Caucasian women. Researchers adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and income—known fertility factors—but the oral health link remained. (Source: Hart et al., Journal of Periodontology, 2011)
“Chronic periodontal infections may constitute a previously unrecognized risk factor for subfertility.” — Dr. Roger Hart, lead author of the 2011 Australian study
Professor Hart is a reproductive medicine specialist at the University of Western Australia and has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles on fertility, IVF, and reproductive health.
While this study identifies a strong association, it does not establish causation. That said, the consistency of findings across different studies, combined with emerging biological plausibility, suggests we may eventually discover a clear mechanistic pathway between oral inflammation and impaired fertility.
What is the supposed mechanism here? Inflammation.
Periodontal disease drives low-grade, chronic inflammation in the body. That’s been linked to:
- disrupted ovulation
- impaired implantation
- poor sperm-egg interaction
- increased miscarriage risk
Systemic inflammation isn’t “just” about your gut or your thyroid. The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. It is a gateway to the rest of the body. It has its own microbiome, its own immune responses, and a dense network of blood vessels that allow bacteria and inflammatory molecules to travel elsewhere—fast. If your mouth is inflamed, the rest of your body feels it.
Research in the last decade has highlighted how oral pathogens—like P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and others—can escape the gingival tissue, enter circulation, and elicit systemic immune responses. These pathogens have been found in distant tissues, including the placenta and amniotic fluid, underscoring the mouth-body connection.
It’s Not Just About Her
Let’s talk about sperm.
Multiple systematic reviews and cohort studies suggest a link between poor oral health and reduced male fertility.
A 2025 systematic review published in BMC Oral Health analyzed data across 18 studies and found consistent associations between periodontal disease and impaired sperm quality—including lower sperm concentration, decreased motility, abnormal morphology, and increased DNA fragmentation. (Source: Wang et al., BMC Oral Health, 2025)
The authors of the study write, “Given the global decline in male fertility, maintaining oral health may serve as an adjunct strategy in managing infertility.” Wow!
Some small clinical trials have shown that treating gum disease improves sperm quality within months, though more large-scale studies are needed.
There’s emerging evidence that oral pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis can enter the bloodstream and contribute to systemic inflammation. Animal studies suggest they may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis or indirectly impair sperm production through immune and oxidative stress pathways. These mechanisms are still under investigation.
But this we can say for sure: These bacteria don’t stay in your mouth.
In periodontal disease, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated gum tissue. Once in circulation, they trigger systemic immune responses that increase inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation may interfere with reproductive processes—including hormone regulation, implantation, and sperm function—though more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved.
Pregnant Already? Keep Reading.
Pregnancy changes your oral microbiome. Hormonal shifts elevate inflammation and create an environment that favors harmful bacteria.
- Around 60–75% of pregnant women experience “pregnancy gingivitis”
- Untreated gum disease has been linked in studies to preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia
- Oral pathogens like Fusobacterium nucleatum have been detected in amniotic fluid and placental tissue
In one published case, F. nucleatum was isolated from the placenta in a stillbirth. In animal models, researchers confirmed the same bacterium could reach the uterus via the bloodstream and cause fetal loss. While more research is needed, the findings suggest that oral bacteria can reach the uterus through hematogenous spread—a pathway that could explain some adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Fertility-Supporting Oral Health Checklist
These recommendations are grounded in clinical research and supported by current periodontal and reproductive health literature.
- Treat bleeding gums as a red flag.
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you have inflammation. That inflammation is not staying local. Your dentist can help! - Get a dental cleaning before trying to conceive.
In a meta-analysis by Xiong et al. (2006), treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. - Switch to a microbiome-safe oral routine.
Avoid products that “kill 99.9% of germs.” That includes antiseptic mouthwash, alcohol-based rinses, and foaming agents like SLS. You need a diverse oral microbiome—not a scorched-earth, disinfectant approach. Add prebiotic, fiber-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and leafy greens—they help nourish your body’s microbial ecosystems, starting in the mouth. - Look at the tongue.
White coating? Chronic bad breath? You may be harboring anaerobic bacteria that have been associated with systemic inflammation in both oral and reproductive studies. Use a tongue scraper and book that dentist appointment! - Nutrient check: Are you supporting remineralization?
Vitamins A, D, K2, magnesium (link to the one I recommend), and calcium aren’t just for bones. They’re critical for oral resilience and systemic health. K2 especially helps shuttle calcium out of soft tissues (like arteries and placenta) and into the bones and teeth—where it belongs.
For Men: What’s Worth Paying Attention To
- Bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing
- Bad breath or metallic taste in the mouth
- Skipping regular dental cleanings
- Daily use of antiseptic mouthwash or whitening products that may disrupt the microbiome
These things may seem small. But emerging evidence suggests they’re worth paying attention to—especially when fertility is a concern.
Fertility isn’t just about reproductive organs. It’s a whole-body process—and your mouth plays a role more significant than most people realize.
Chronic inflammation often starts in the mouth. That inflammation may influence hormone regulation and embryo implantation.
So if you’re preparing for pregnancy or already expecting, taking care of your oral health isn’t just a side task. It’s foundational.
Share this with someone who’s trying to conceive—or thinking about it. They deserve to know the full picture.
If you’re looking for a dentist who “gets it”—start here. You deserve a partner who understands airway, nutrition, and the oral-systemic connection.
→ Search the Functional Dentist Directory
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If your dentist belongs on this list—or you do—hit reply. I’d love to hear from you. My team vets every submission.
References & Further Reading
- Han YW, Redline RW, Li M, Yin L, Hill GB, McCormick TS. Fusobacterium nucleatum induces premature and term stillbirths in pregnant mice: implication of oral bacteria in preterm birth. Infect Immun. 2004 Apr;72(4):2272-9. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.4.2272-2279.2004. PMID: 15039352; PMCID: PMC375172.
- Hart R, Norman RJ, et al. (2012). Periodontal disease: a potential modifiable risk factor limiting conception. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 39(11), 961–967. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2012.01924.x
- Mortazavi, V., Roozbeh, N., Banaei, M. et al. Exploring the link between periodontal disease and sperm quality: a comprehensive systematic review study. BMC Oral Health 25, 742 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06051-w
- Pásztor N, Kárpáti K, Szöllősi J, Keresztúri M, Kozinszky Z, Gorzó I, Radnai M. Association between periodontal status and idiopathic male infertility. J Oral Sci. 2016;58(2):247-53. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.15-0586. PMID: 27349547.
- Xiong X, Buekens P, Fraser WD, Beck J, Offenbacher S. Periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review. BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2006 Feb;113(2):135-143. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00827.x. PMID: 16411989.