Oral Red Light Therapy To Protect Your Pregnancy
Can Oral Red Light Therapy Reduce Pregnancy Complications?
Why Gum Health Matters When You're TTCing and During Your Pregnancy
For most women TTCing or during pregnancy, nutrition, exercise and your careprovider are usually the most often discussed factors when it comes to improving outcomes for you and your baby. But there’s another key element overlooked: gum health. Studies show that gum/periodontal disease (PD) isn’t just about sore, bleeding gums; it’s linked to serious pregnancy complications like preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, and low birth weight. Until recently, we didn't really understand how light could impact maternal and fetal health but new research is emerging and we need to take notice.
The Connection Between Gum Disease and Pregnancy Complications and Your Baby's Health
Periodontal disease affects approximately 60-75% of expectant moms worldwide. Untreated gum disease doesn’t just stay in in your mouth - it sends inflammatory signals throughout your body, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications such as:
Preeclampsia (PE) – risk increased by over 3 times in women with PD.
Preterm birth – a 60% higher risk of delivering before 37 weeks.
Low birth weight – a twofold increase in risk for babies under 2,500 grams.
These complications are largely driven by inflammation/infection, which can disrupt placental function and blood flow to your baby.
Your Microbiome Matters
Oral bacteria have been found in the gut, where they can contribute to intestinal inflammation and trigger immune responses.
Gut health, affects the balance of bacteria in the mouth, creating a cycle of inflammation that impacts the whole body.
Disruptions in either microbiome increase systemic inflammation, which is already implicated in complications like preeclampsia.
Treating oral inflammation could have downstream benefits for gut health, immune regulation, and pregnancy outcomes.
When these systems are overactivated, as they often are in chronic inflammation, the risk of placental dysfunction and preeclampsia increases.
Only 5 minutes a day to reduce gum inflammation in pregnancy (and for fertility).
How Red Light Therapy Supports Placental Health
A recent 2025 study looks at how preeclampsia (PE) and gum disease (periodontitis) might be connected. Both are inflammatory conditions, and research has shown that women with gum disease may have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia, a serious complication during pregnancy. However, we still don’t fully understand why they're linked. This study aims to find out if they share similar genes or immune system responses that could explain the connection.
Another 2022 study explored how 670 nm red light therapy could directly improve placental health in late-onset preeclampsia by repairing oxidative damage[7]. The results were quite remarkable:
Preeclampsia placentas showed high levels of oxidative stress and tissue damage.
Trophoblast cells (responsible for embedding the placenta) had reduced migration and higher cell death when exposed to this damaged environment.
After red light therapy, trophoblasts regained their ability to migrate, survive, and produce vital growth factors like Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ).
Red light also increased nitric oxide (NO) levels, improving blood flow and supporting healthy placental function (a healthier placenta is associated with healthier babies).
This suggests that red light therapy doesn’t just manage symptoms, it may actively restore healthy placental environments, even in complicated pregnancies. Why isn’t this big news - especially when PE is such a dangerous complication? That’s a blog for another day.
Exploring the Role of PBM/Red Light Therapy Inside The Mouth
Given that inflammation and immune dysfunction are key drivers of both PD and PE, photobiomodulation (PBM) may offer a novel therapeutic approach to breaking this connection.
How Red and Blue Light in the Mouth, May Impact PD and PE
Reducing Periodontal Inflammation at the Source
Blue light (405–470 nm) has antimicrobial properties, helping to kill bacteria in the mouth/gums, which is the root cause of periodontal disease.
Red Light Therpy can decrease inflammatory cytokines that contribute to both PD and systemic inflammation.
Modulating the Immune Response
PBM, particularly near-infrared (NIR) and red light, has been shown to regulate immune cell function by reducing excessive inflammation while promoting proper immune responses.
This could help balance immune pathways like PI3K-AKT and NF-kappa B, which were found to be dysregulated in both PD and PE.
Improving Microvascular Function & Blood Flow
PBM improves circulation and endothelial function, which is critical in both periodontal health and placental function in PE.
Studies show PBM can help reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in both PD and PE.
Potential for Direct Effects on Pregnancy Outcomes
Treating periodontal inflammation with PBM before or during pregnancy could reduce systemic inflammatory load and lower the risk of vascular dysfunction that contributes to PE.
Given that PBM has been explored for wound healing and immune regulation, it may also have positive effects on placental health.
Light as Medicine: A New Frontier in Women’s Health
While red light therapy is well-known in skincare and pain relief, its potential for pregnancy health is only just beginning to be explored. By addressing inflammation at its source, whether in the gums, gut, or placenta, red light therapy offers a powerful, natural tool for improving outcomes. Order your red light oral care device today.
These studies strengthen the case for a targeted approach to oral and systemic inflammation in pregnancy and for those TTCing. PBM, especially blue light therapy applied inside the mouth for periodontal health and red/NIR for immune modulation, could be a safe, non-invasive strategy to reduce inflammation and potentially lower the risk of PE in pregnant individuals with PD.
***Is Oral Red and Blue Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes - when used appropriately, oral photobiomodulation (PBM) devices are considered safe, gentle, and non-invasive. It's important to remember that we’re all exposed to blue light daily from screens, indoor lighting, and sunlight. However, with oral PBM devices, the blue light is precisely targeted, used for short, controlled sessions, and paired with beneficial red and near-infrared light to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation. Unlike the chronic, unbalanced blue light exposure from devices that can disrupt circadian rhythms, this therapeutic blue light is used to reduce harmful oral bacteria without systemic absorption or risk to your baby.
*As always, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy during pregnancy.
My Red Light Therapy Recommended Products for Women’s Health
Book your consult in my office at Solasta, I’m here to guide you with safe, evidence-based therapies to support your fertility and pregnancy journey. Whether you’re seeking better gum health, lower inflammation, or enhanced overall wellness, allow me to help light the way.
Tracy
