ASSOCIATION OF ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AND PERIODONTAL HEALTH IN FEMALES WITH RESPECT TO THE TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

Abstract

Background: Periodontal health is significantly associated and impacted by pregnancy. It has been reported previously that periodontal health of women is influenced differently as the pregnancy progresses. Oral hygiene maintenance can have an influence on the extent and nature of influence of pregnancy on the periodontal health. The deterioration of oral health as a result of hormonal shifts that ensues during pregnancy can be slowed, reversed and even avoided by maintaining meticulous oral hygiene.

Objective: To find the association between oral hygiene practices and periodontal health in females with respect to the trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 44 pregnant females in Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore. Ethical approval was obtained, and data was collected using a specialized proforma for recording demographic information and oral hygiene practices. CPTIN was used for assessing the periodontal health.

Results: A non-significant association between frequency of brushing and periodontal health of women was seen in their first trimester (p=0.455) and third trimester (p=0.447) while the association between frequency of brushing and periodontal health of women in their second trimester was significant (p=0.029).

Conclusion: Oral hygiene maintenance had a significant impact on the periodontal health of pregnant women. Those who maintained good oral hygiene practices and brushed their teeth twice daily had a healthier periodontium and lower calculus deposition. Women in their second trimester who brushed twice daily had more periodontal pockets as compared to those who brushed once. In the first and third trimester no periodontal pockets were seen in females who maintained good oral hygiene practices and brushed twice daily.