IADR Abstract Archives
Oral Health Differences Between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women
Objectives: Periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most common oral diseases where biofilm formation together with systemic factors play a significant role. During pregnancy, women may face an increased risk of gingival bleeding and tooth decay. Here we examined whether oral health status and health behavior differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Methods: All study participants (aged 24-36 years) were generally healthy Caucasian women, who were recruited from the same Municipal health care center. Pregnant women (Pr; n=29) were examined at the end of the first trimester, and non-pregnant women (N-Pr; n=24) served as their controls. Data about previous dental check-up history and oral hygiene habits were gathered. Additionally, periodontal and caries status were recorded, and stimulated salivary flow rate was measured. Data comparisons were performed by using one-way ANOVA and Chi-Square tests and expressed as mean ±SD.
Results: Pregnant women had more caries lesions (2.3 ± 2.2 vs. 0.7 ± 1.0; p=0.003) and higher bleeding on probing scores (BOP% 24.4 ± 16.3 vs. 7.1 ± 5.7; p<0.001) than non-pregnant women. Women in the Pr group cleaned significantly (p=0.017) rarely their interdental area and had higher visible plaque scores (VPI% 24.7 ± 12.95 vs. 10.6 ± 8.1; p<0.001) in comparison to non-pregnant women. The regularity of dental check-ups, time period since the last dental examination, and brushing habits did not vary between the Pr and N-Pr groups. There were no statistical differences in the salivary flow rate or number of initial caries lesions, intact and decayed-missed-filled (DMF) teeth, DMF surfaces, and dental fillings.
Conclusions: Gingival inflammation and tooth decay are common in pregnant women already during the first trimester. This may be partly explained by increased frequency of nausea during the early pregnancy.
Methods: All study participants (aged 24-36 years) were generally healthy Caucasian women, who were recruited from the same Municipal health care center. Pregnant women (Pr; n=29) were examined at the end of the first trimester, and non-pregnant women (N-Pr; n=24) served as their controls. Data about previous dental check-up history and oral hygiene habits were gathered. Additionally, periodontal and caries status were recorded, and stimulated salivary flow rate was measured. Data comparisons were performed by using one-way ANOVA and Chi-Square tests and expressed as mean ±SD.
Results: Pregnant women had more caries lesions (2.3 ± 2.2 vs. 0.7 ± 1.0; p=0.003) and higher bleeding on probing scores (BOP% 24.4 ± 16.3 vs. 7.1 ± 5.7; p<0.001) than non-pregnant women. Women in the Pr group cleaned significantly (p=0.017) rarely their interdental area and had higher visible plaque scores (VPI% 24.7 ± 12.95 vs. 10.6 ± 8.1; p<0.001) in comparison to non-pregnant women. The regularity of dental check-ups, time period since the last dental examination, and brushing habits did not vary between the Pr and N-Pr groups. There were no statistical differences in the salivary flow rate or number of initial caries lesions, intact and decayed-missed-filled (DMF) teeth, DMF surfaces, and dental fillings.
Conclusions: Gingival inflammation and tooth decay are common in pregnant women already during the first trimester. This may be partly explained by increased frequency of nausea during the early pregnancy.