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

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.