UPDATES IN RELATION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PREGNANCY

Abstract

Speaking about pregnancy we can say that include physiologic changes mediated by female sex hormones with important effects even on healthy women. Physiologic changes during pregnancy can exacerbate already existing oral pathologic conditions, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, salivary and caries lesions. Aim This paper aims to illustrate recent informations about physiologic changes during normal gestation and also the management of dental treatment in women with normal pregnancy and in women at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods We addreddes some queries to the electronic databases including clinical trials in PubMed and Thomson ISI – Web Of Science, published in English in the last five years using key words: „hematological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular changes, pregnancy, dental caries, gingivitis, dental management”. From the collected materials, we have conceived a summary of the data about the physiologic changes during pregnancy wich can exacerbate already existing oral pathologic conditions, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, salivary and caries lesions. Results Oral infections during pregnancy may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prenatal care is an essential part of a successful pregnancy and oral health assessment must be part of prenatal care. Changes produced by pregnancy present a number of unique management problems in dental treatment. Conclusion The best approach to avoid pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes is to apply preventive strategies. One of the important direction in managing dental care for the pregnant woman is to promote a healthy oral environment free of inflammation and infection. All the changes in gingival tissues during pregnancy are associated with an exacerbated clinical inflammatory response. Immune adaptations that occur during pregnancy may further facilitate infections of oral tissues.

Keywords

• physiologic changes
• pregnancy
• dental management.