IADR Abstract Archives
Toothache and Psychological Distress in Women During and After Pregnancy
Objectives: Orofacial pain, such as toothache, is associated with depression and stress. Women who are pregnant may be more vulnerable to dental pain, and more susceptible to psychological distress as well. The aim of this study was to examine the associations among toothache, depression, and stress in women during and after pregnancy.
Methods: We followed 1,093 pregnant women (M age=28.6 years, SD=5.3) participating in the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA2) cohort during and after their pregnancies. Participants completed the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data were collected during the first two trimesters of pregnancy (prenatal; n=1,093), at 6 months postnatal (n=809), at 12 months postnatal (n=729), at 18 months postnatal (n=518), and at 24 months postnatal (n=515).
Results: At each timepoint, ~20 to 24% of women reported multiple toothaches within the past 6 months. Women experiencing multiple (>1) toothaches in the past 6 months reported significantly higher CESD and PSS scores than those who reported 0-1 toothaches in the past 6 months at each timepoint; greater variability over time was found in women reporting multiple toothaches, but no differences between the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Conclusions: Pregnant and postnatal women with toothaches reported significantly higher levels of depression and stress. Results suggest toothache is related to the psychological vulnerability of women during and after pregnancy. Psychological factors such as depression and perceived stress may impact, or be influenced by, orofacial pain in perinatal women. Though the directionality of the relation between toothache and psychological distress is unknown, this study shows a consistent relation between toothache and psychological distress across time. Additionally, psychological vulnerability can enhance the likelihood of risk behaviors associated with poor health outcomes for the mother and developing fetus (e.g., substance use, poor nutrition, lack of bonding).
Methods: We followed 1,093 pregnant women (M age=28.6 years, SD=5.3) participating in the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA2) cohort during and after their pregnancies. Participants completed the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data were collected during the first two trimesters of pregnancy (prenatal; n=1,093), at 6 months postnatal (n=809), at 12 months postnatal (n=729), at 18 months postnatal (n=518), and at 24 months postnatal (n=515).
Results: At each timepoint, ~20 to 24% of women reported multiple toothaches within the past 6 months. Women experiencing multiple (>1) toothaches in the past 6 months reported significantly higher CESD and PSS scores than those who reported 0-1 toothaches in the past 6 months at each timepoint; greater variability over time was found in women reporting multiple toothaches, but no differences between the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Conclusions: Pregnant and postnatal women with toothaches reported significantly higher levels of depression and stress. Results suggest toothache is related to the psychological vulnerability of women during and after pregnancy. Psychological factors such as depression and perceived stress may impact, or be influenced by, orofacial pain in perinatal women. Though the directionality of the relation between toothache and psychological distress is unknown, this study shows a consistent relation between toothache and psychological distress across time. Additionally, psychological vulnerability can enhance the likelihood of risk behaviors associated with poor health outcomes for the mother and developing fetus (e.g., substance use, poor nutrition, lack of bonding).