Oral health status of pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Oral diseases have been shown to negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, yet, routine oral health care is not a component of the antenatal care package in Nigeria. This study was designed to describe the pattern of the oral conditions in pregnancy compared to the non-pregnant controls. Two hundred and twenty-five pregnant women and 166 non-pregnant controls were studied from two healthcare facilities in Ilorin. Oral-related complaints were assessed in the pregnant population while both of the groups had an oral cavity examination. The mean age of the respondents was 28.24 years ±4.77 and 80% had at least a secondary school level of education. The prevalence of oral complaints among the pregnant women was 19.1%. Gingivitis was more common among the pregnant women than the non-pregnant women, and more demonstrable on examination. Oral healthcare should be a component of the antenatal care in our environment. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Women experience oral disorders in pregnancy, which may be worsened by the physiological changes in pregnancy. What do the results of this study add? This study has demonstrated a higher prevalence of gingivitis in the pregnant women than in the non-pregnant women on oral examination. The signs of gingivitis were higher than its related complaints. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Therefore, dental care and an examination should be part of a routine antenatal care package to prevent the unwanted pregnancy outcomes that are related to oral disorders.

Systematic Review of the Literature on Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

“…The prevalence of caries was expressed in the six types of disadvantaged subjects, starting in the description with those most affected, such as prisoners with 77% ([95% CI 66–85%]; 803 participants, three studies, I 2 = 90%) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], elderly people with 62% ([95% CI 50–73%]; 38,133 participants, 24 studies, I 2 = 99.7%) [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ] ( Figure 2 ), alcohol and drug abusers with 60% ([95% CI 56–64]; 592 participants, two studies, I 2 = not assessable) [ 49 , 50 ], immigrants with 65% ([95% CI 18–99%]; 878 participants, three studies, I 2 = 99.1%) [ 39 , 51 , 52 ], followed by pregnant women with 29% ([95% CI 8–56%]; 506 participants, three studies, I 2 = 97.4%) [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. All groups showed high scores of prevalence.…”

Oral health status and behaviors of pregnant migrant workers in Bangkok, Thailand: a cross-sectional study

“…that inherited among this study and the national survey. Several studies have revealed more dental caries and periodontal disease in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women [ 8 – 10 ] and the oral health problem is even more obvious in pregnant women who are of low socio-economic status [ 15 , 16 ]. The present study showed that being a migrant worker is another risk factor for poor oral health in pregnant women.…”

“…Several studies in various countries have demonstrated that immigrants have poorer oral health than their local counterparts [3][4][5][6]; in addition, physiologic changes during pregnancy may aggravate dental and periodontal diseases through hormonal changes and alterations in eating habits [7]. Other researches have revealed that pregnant females have poorer oral health than non-pregnant women [8][9][10], and pregnant women with periodontal disease may be at increased risk of preterm birth [11]. The recent Thailand national oral health survey 2017 reported 6.6 DMFT with 8.2% caries-free and CPI = 3 or 4 of 25.9% in adults at 35-44 years-old without information regarding pregnant women [12].…”

Tooth Loss and Its Association With Frequency of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Yemeni Women

“…It is associated with several hormonal changes that alter the gingival response to dental plaque, thus increasing its susceptibility to gingival in ammation and periodontal diseases (20,22,23). Several studies have reported greater gingival in ammation during pregnancy (19,21,22) and other studies reported a positive association between number of giving births and tooth loss (24)(25)(26).…”

“…Pregnancy, a physiological phenomenon, has been reported as a risk factor for oral diseases including periodontitis (19)(20)(21)(22). It is associated with several hormonal changes that alter the gingival response to dental plaque, thus increasing its susceptibility to gingival in ammation and periodontal diseases (20,22,23).…”