ASSOCIATION OF GRAVIDITY AND PARITY WITH GINGIVAL HEALTH IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy has been associated with significant changes in oral health due to hormonal fluctuations that alter gingival vasculature and immune response. Increased levels of progesterone and estrogen contribute to inflammatory changes, leading to a higher susceptibility to plaque accumulation and gingivitis. Without adequate oral hygiene and timely dental care, these changes may progress to more severe periodontal conditions. Gravidity and parity have been suggested as potential factors influencing gingival health, yet their association remains inconclusive, warranting further investigation.

Objective: To assess the association between gravidity and parity with gingival health in pregnant females.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over one year, from August 2019 to August 2020, in the Gynecology Department of Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 44 pregnant females were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique. Informed consent was obtained, and demographic details, including trimester of pregnancy, gravidity, and parity, were recorded. Intraoral examinations were performed, and gingival health was assessed using the Gingival Index. Based on the index scores, gingival health was categorized as excellent (0), good (0.1–0.9), fair (1.0–1.9), or poor (2.0–3.0). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23, with Fisher’s exact test applied to determine associations. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 26.86±4.51 years. Among them, 31.8% were primigravida and 68.2% were multigravida. The majority of participants had fair gingival health, with 57% of primigravida and 63% of multigravida falling into this category. Poor gingival health was observed in 30% of multigravida and 14% of primigravida women. The association between gravidity and gingival health was not statistically significant (p=0.168). Regarding parity, 57% of nulliparous, 42% of primiparous, and 79% of multiparous women exhibited fair gingival health. Poor gingival health was more prevalent among primiparous women (41.7%) compared to nulliparous (14%) and multiparous (22%) women. However, the association between parity and gingival health was also statistically non-significant (p=0.111).

Conclusion: The study found no significant association between gravidity, parity, and gingival health in pregnant women. While most participants maintained fair gingival health, multigravida women exhibited a higher prevalence of poor gingival health compared to primigravida women. Similarly, poor gingival health was more common among primiparous women than in nulliparous and multiparous women. These findings highlight the importance of routine dental assessments and oral hygiene education during pregnancy to mitigate gingival inflammation and prevent disease progression.