Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status of women with high-risk pregnancies. A case-control study of 142 pregnant women was conducted. The case group included 81 pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies, while 61 women with normal pregnancies served as controls. The following variables were recorded for each woman: age, general health status, DMF, CPITN, and PBI index, amounts of Streptococcus mutans in the saliva and dental treatment needs. The Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, t-test and chi-squared test were used for statistical analyses. Statistically significant differences were detected between the PBI indices and dental treatment needs of the two groups. Out of the entire study cohort, 77% of the women in the case group and 52% of the women in the control group required dental treatment. In this study, women with complications during pregnancy had severe gingivitis and needed more frequent dental treatment than those in the control group.
Highlights
Pregnancy is accompanied by changes in the oral cavity that affect the hard and soft tissues of the mouth[1]
The following variables were recorded for each woman: anamnestic data, Decayed, Missing, Filled index (DMF), the Papilla Bleeding Index (PBI), the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), amount of Streptococcus mutans (SM) present in the saliva and dental treatment needs
We examined the occurrence of dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis in 61 women with normal pregnancies and 81 women with high-risk pregnancies
Summary
Pregnancy is accompanied by changes in the oral cavity that affect the hard and soft tissues of the mouth[1]. Most pregnant women change their eating habits to more frequently eat foods rich in carbohydrates and acids. This situation is exacerbated by the decrease in salivary pH associated with frequent nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women who do not comply with regular and careful oral hygiene often suffer from erosions of tooth enamel and develop new dental caries. The most important microorganisms with regard to dental decay are viridans streptococci, especially Streptococcus mutans (SM), which can be transmitted by the mother’s saliva to the child’s oral cavity. A high level of SM in the saliva of a pregnant woman is considered a risk factor for early infection of her child’s oral cavity and the development of early childhood caries[1,2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
