Abstract
BackgroundPeriodontal disease is one of the most important common oral diseases contributing to the global burden of chronic disease. Systematic reviews have demonstrated that poor periodontal condition during pregnancy was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, etc. Oral health care is often a neglected area in low- and middle- income countries, particularly in rural areas due to the limited health human resources and poor infrastructures resources. Very few studies have explored the risk factors of periodontal disease among pregnant women in rural areas of China.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 648 women between 2 and 28 weeks of gestation at an antenatal clinic in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Leping, Jiangxi Province, China. Periodontal Screening & Recording (PSR) was used to determine periodontal disease. Data on respondents’ demographic characteristics, gestational age, regular oral health habits, and mental health condition were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. ResultsThe prevalence of periodontal disease in pregnant women was 79.78% (95% CI: 76.7%~82.7%). Periodontal disease was significantly associated with increased maternal age (aOR =1.13, 95%CI: 1.06~1.21, P<0.001) and gum bleeding during tooth brushing (aOR =3.76, 95%CI: 2.05~7.00, P<0.001). The severity of periodontal disease advanced with the increased maternal age and gum bleeding during pregnancy. ConclusionsPregnant women with increased maternal age and gum bleeding during tooth brushing were at a higher risk of periodontal disease and needed to have the access to oral health care.
Oral health care effects of periodontal disease patients with systemic diseases: case report