Premature babies are more likely to have chronic health issues such as infections, asthma and feeding problems, as well as being at greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

It can also lead to long-term intellectual, educational and developmental disabilities as well problems with their lungs, brain, eyes and other organs.

A study by the University of Michigan found that being of low birth weight has significant negative effects on adult health, equivalent to being 12 years older when a person reaches their thirties and forties.

Weighing less than 5.5lbs at birth also increases the probability of being in fair or poor health as an adult by more than 70 per cent.

Previous attempts to improve dental health

Previously, researchers have looked at various ways to improve dental health during pregnancy, including doing a “deep-teeth cleaning” which involves removing plaque and tartar on the teeth and below the gum line.

However, despite improving periodontics, deep-teeth cleaning approaches have not proven to be effective in the prevention of pre-term birth.

“What’s unique about our study is that we used a readily available, inexpensive, and palatable means to reduce the risk of a baby being born too soon or too small,” added Dr Aagaard.

“There is some real science behind the choice of xylitol chewing gum to improve oral health, and our novel application to improving birth outcomes is exciting. This fits with longstanding evidence linking oral health with pre-term births.”

The research was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting.