By Kay Quinn, KSDK-TV, April 20, 2007

Good nutrition, avoiding alcohol and getting enough vitamins are usually the top concerns of women who are pregnant. But should regular brushing and flossing be added to that list?

Some studies have already shown a strong association between dental health and preterm delivery or low birth weight babies. Another recent study showed no connection.

That conflicting evidence led to a new research trial involving local women and their unborn babies.

Shante Ware, 21, is expecting a baby in September. She''s also allowing nurses to follow her pregnancy to see whether improving oral health leads to healthier babies.

"I didn''t think you had to worry about your teeth while you were pregnant. That''s like the last thing that was on my mind," said Ware.

As part of the study, she gets information about good oral health practices, watches a video on brushing and flossing and has an appointment scheduled with a local dentist.

"What we are trying to do is improve awareness of dental health practices and the importance of it during pregnancy," said Dr. Nancy Cibulka, an associate professor of nursing at Maryville University, an advanced practice nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the study''s principal investigator.

Cibulka and her colleagues hope to enroll 200 expectant moms through the Barnes-Jewish OB/GYN clinic. The clinic primarily serves Medicaid patients.

Volunteers must be in the first half of pregnancy. Half of the group will simply fill out a questionnaire about their oral health. The other half will get the educational information and dental checkup Ware received.

"What we noticed is that many of our patients had very poor dental health and that it was very difficult for us to make emergency dental care appointments for them," said Cibulka.

Ultimately, Cibulka''s study will track the birth weights and birth dates of the volunteers'' babies to see whether there were any significant differences.

"We know that even if we don''t find those exciting findings about reducing preterm birth, at least we will have improved oral health and overall health for our patients," said Cibulka.

It''s advice Cibulka believes the mothers are more likely to pass onto their children.

"I didn''t know different ways to floss your teeth (and) certain ways you''re supposed to brush your teeth," said Ware.

For information on the study, call 314-454-7882 and ask for Cibulka or Janie Taylor.