Periodontal index and salivary Ph in first trimester´s pregnant women: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Recent reviews have suggested a possible association between periodontal disease and increasing risks during pregnancy, such as newborn low weight, premature birth, gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. Besides, being saliva a valuable source of information on general and buccal health, it is necessary to know its parameters associated with periodontal diseases; in order to help odontologists to better understand this disease, and provide a sound clinical treatment. Therefore, this research sought to assess the correlation between periodontal index, and salivary pH on first trimester pregnant women. Material and Methods 71 pregnant women were evaluated by observational, transversal and correlational study, using the community periodontal index and salivary pH-meter. The Spearman coefficient was employed, considering a p value of 0.05. Results A correlation was found between periodontal index and salivary pH in first trimester pregnant women ( p =0.039). According to age, correlations were found to be very weak in age group 18 to 24 years ( p =0.605), and age group 25 to 35 years ( p =0.071). Similarly, no strong correlation was found when pairing based on number of pregnancies (primiparous p =0.239 and multi pregnancy p =0.114). Also, 36.6% of pregnant women showed periodontal pockets smaller than 5 mm. Conclusions With lower salivary pH, the periodontal index in pregnant women gets lower; however, no correlation could be found between age group and number of pregnancies. Key words: Periodontal index, periodontal pocket, periodontal diseases, saliva, pregnancy, pregnant women.