Background: During pregnancy many physiological, anatomical and biochemical changes take place that affect
almost all body systems. In the oral pregnant women have serious changes such as more sever dental caries.
This study was conducted to measure dental caries severity and selected salivary variables (salivary flow rate, PH and
viscosity)and to find the relation of dental caries with these salivary variables.
Subjects, materials and methods: The study group consisted of 60 pregnant women that were divided into three
equal groups according to trimester (20 pregnant women in each trimester).They were selected randomly from the
Maternal and Child Health Care Centers in Baghdad city, the age range was 20-25 years. In addition to 20 unmarried
women as a control group and matched with age. Stimulated salivary samples were collected .Then salivary flow
rate, pH and viscosity were measured. Dental caries severity was recorded by using Decay, Missing and Filled index
(D1-4MFS) using the criteria described by Manjie et al, (1989). Plaque index system by Silness and Löe, (1964) was used
for measuring dental plaque thickness. For measuring dental calculus the calculus index component of the
periodontal diseases index (PDI) by Ramfjord (1959) was used.
Results: Results of the current study revealed that dental caries parameter represented by (DMFT ,DMFS,DS and MS)
were higher among pregnant than non –pregnant women with significant differences (p<0.05) for DMFT,DMFS and
DS also all grades of lesion severity(D1-4)were higher among pregnant than non –pregnant women with
nonsignificant differences(p>0.05).Almost all dental caries parameter were higher in the 2nd trimesters with highly
significant difference (p<0.01) for D1,DS ,DMFS and DMFT among four groups .
Concerning oral cleanliness both plaque and calculus indices recorded higher values among pregnant than nonpregnant
with highly significant difference for both (p<0.01). Values were higher during 2nd trimester with high
significant and non-significant differences among four groups .Regarding the relations of dental caries with oral
cleanliness ,it was found that all dental caries parameters recorded positive correlations with both plaque and
calculus indices with significant and highly significant relations Regarding salivary variables ,results revealed that
salivary flow rate was higher among pregnant (especially in the 2nd trimester)than non-pregnant women but with
non-significant difference (p>0.05).On the other hand salivary PH value was lower among pregnant than nonpregnant
women with highly significant difference (p<0.01)among them. Salivary PH was lowest in the 2nd trimester
with highly significant difference (p<0.01) among four groups .Also Salivary viscosity was higher among pregnant than
non-pregnant women with highly significant difference (p<0.01) and it recorded higher mean value in the 3rd
trimester with highly significant difference among four groups (p<0.01). Salivary PH recorded inverse relation with
almost all dental caries parameters with significant relations with D4, MS and highly significant relations with DS,DMFS
and DMFT ,while salivary flow rate and salivary viscosity revealed non-significant relations with dental caries
parameters (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Dental caries severity was higher among pregnant women probably due to the effect of pregnancy
itself on oral hygiene (higher plaque and calculus indices) and salivary variables (increased salivary acidity and
viscosity).Therefore, intensive education and preventive programs should be directed for pregnant women |