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Oral health education and therapy reduces gingivitis during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Geisinger Maria L.,
Geurs Nicolaas C.,
Bain Jennifer L.,
Kaur Maninder,
Vassilopoulos Philip J.,
Cliver Suzanne P.,
Hauth John C.,
Reddy Michael S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12188
Subject(s) - gingivitis , medicine , oral hygiene , pregnancy , gingival inflammation , dentistry , gestation , dental plaque , clinical trial , randomized controlled trial , regimen , obstetrics , genetics , biology
Background Pregnant women demonstrate increases in gingivitis despite similar plaque levels to non‐pregnant counterparts. Aim To evaluate an intensive protocol aimed at reducing gingivitis in pregnant women and provide pilot data for large‐scale randomized controlled trials investigating oral hygiene measures to reduce pregnancy gingivitis and alter maternity outcomes. Materials and Methods One hundred and twenty participants between 16 and 24 weeks gestation with Gingival Index ( GI ) scores ≥2 at ≥50% of tooth sites were enrolled. Plaque index ( PI ), gingival inflammation ( GI ), probing depth ( PD ), and clinical attachment levels ( CAL ) were recorded at baseline and 8 weeks. Dental prophylaxis was performed at baseline and oral hygiene instructions at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded at parturition. Mixed‐model analysis of variance was used to compare clinical measurements at baseline and 8 weeks. Results Statistically significant reductions in PI , GI , PD , and CAL occurred over the study period. Mean whole mouth PI and GI scores decreased approximately 50% and the percentage of sites with PI and GI ≥2 decreased from 40% to 17% and 53% to 21.8%, respectively. Mean decreases in whole mouth PD and CAL of 0.45 and 0.24 mm, respectively, were seen. Conclusions Intensive oral hygiene regimen decreased gingivitis in pregnant patients.