Association between Perceived Oral Symptoms and Presence of Clinically Diagnosed Oral Diseases in a Sample of Pregnant Women in Malaysia

Abstract

The integration of oral health into primary health care denotes the important role of medical counterparts as the front liners in antenatal care to help screen mothers for oral symptoms and refer them to dentists accordingly. However, the validity of self-perceived oral health status is inconclusive. This study determined the association between self-perceived oral symptoms and the presence of clinically diagnosed oral diseases in a sample of pregnant women. A total of 192 pregnant women participated in this cross-sectional study. Clinical oral examinations were performed to record dental caries experience, gingival health and periodontal health. The women were also asked about their oral symptoms. Most women had at least one oral symptom (84.9%): cavitated tooth (62.0%), bad breath (38.5%), bleeding gums (28.6%), and toothache (22.9%). About half of the women had untreated dental caries (58.9%), and the odds were significantly higher in women who complained of having cavitated tooth. About half of the women had moderate to severe gingivitis (53.7%), and the odds were significantly higher in women who complained of bleeding gums. About half had periodontal pockets (46.3%), and the odds were higher in women who complained of bleeding gums and bad breath although lower in women who complained of swollen gums. In conclusion, the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among pregnant women in this study were relatively high. The presence of untreated dental caries, moderate and severe gingivitis, and periodontal pockets were significantly associated with their corresponding oral symptoms.

oral health status of pregnant women and awareness about oral health among pregnant patients and gynaecologists.

“…The second most frequent problem pregnant women reported was the increased salivation (77.30%) followed by burning sensation during swallowing (34.50%) of the preganant women population. Yunita et al [2] did a study on a sample of pregnant women in Malaysia but half of that study population reported dental caries , followed by bleeding gums. This difference in both studies results can be attributed to the fact that Pakistan is underdeveloped country and patients don't have access to basic oral health care.…”

“…Pregnancy results in increased secretion of estrogen and progesterone which leads to various changes in body organs including oral cavity [2].Poor oral hygiene and hormonal changes can lead to gingivitis, periodontitis, benign lesions like pregnancy tumors and increases susceptibility to oral infections [3].These hormonal changes may also contribute to change in salivary p [4,5] in turn, leading to increased incidence of dental caries [6]. Modi cation in diet and frequency of eating can increase the risk of developing tooth decay.…”

“…Gingival hyperplasia, gingivitis, pyogenic granuloma, dental erosion and various salivary alterations are some of the changes commonly witnessed among pregnant women [2]. Oral health is an important component of general health and should be maintained during pregnancy and throughout a woman's life.…”

Condição De Saúde Bucal Autorreferida, Fatores Relacionados Às Gestantes De Alto Risco

“…Salienta-se que não foram encontrados na literatura estudos sobre as taxas do uso do serviço odontológico por gestantes de alto risco. Em pesquisas realizadas, a demanda de gestantes, em geral, por serviços odontológicos variou de 29% a 42% (MARCHI et al, 2019;YUNITA SARI;SADDKI;YUSOFF, 2020).…”

Periodontal Conditions and Pathogens Associated with Pre-Eclampsia: A Scoping Review

“…Risk factors are chronic gingivitis, inadequate oral hygiene, antihypertensive, use of hormonal therapies, antiepileptic, immunosuppressive drugs in pregnancy [31]. Clinicians must be conscious of higher gingival inflammation measures may be found in women who have a higher body mass index [32].…”