Abstract:
Introduction. Due to significant hormonal changes during pregnancy, clinical consequences can
be noticed in the oral cavity, mostly in the third trimester of pregnancy and immediately after.
Aim of the study: The paper intended to demonstrate the clinical modifications of oral cavity in
pospartum period, especially those of the periodontium.
Materials and methods. Twenty volunteers were recruited among postpartum women, of which
two of them withdrew along the study. The subjects were patients from the Obstetrics-
Gynecology Clinic of County Emergency Clinical Hospital Tirgu Mures. The participation in the
study was voluntary and based on informed consent. The elements of the oral cavity were
clinically examined, focusing on periodontal changes. The anamnestic data with significant
relevance in the etiopathogenesis of these specific modifications in pregnancy and postpartum
period were noted and afterwards analyzed in a questionnaire imagined by the author.
Results. Of the eighteen postpartum women from our study, 33% of them were giving birth for
the first time. 61% came from rural area, 67% of them had medium educational studies and only
44% had a correct follow-up of the pregnancy (family doctor + OB-GYN). 22% had the last
dental check-up before pregnancy, 56% were regularly smoking, 83 % presented bacterial plaque
& calculus, 61% had caries, 67% claimed that brushed their teeth twice a day. Regarding the
periodontal modifications, 82% presented red, swollen gums with soft consistency, 78% were
bleeding on brushing, 17% were spontaneously bleeding, 28% had dental mobility, 17%
superficial periodontal bags and at 11% of the patients gingival epulis was found.
Conclusions. The periodontal modifications specific to pregnancy can also be observed
postpartum. The inflammatory phenomena were less emphasized at the patients that had their
last dental cleaning and check-up right before pregnancy. Moreover, the statistical results
represent a certainty of the fact that the educational, hygiene and sanitation factors, as alimentary
noxae and vicious habits have a significant impact on the periodontium. Having a dental checkup
before pregnancy seems to be crucial to periodontal health.
