Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry have discovered that nurse-led oral hygiene education significantly reduces gingival inflammation in pregnant women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women experience gingivitis due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Periodontal diseases can impose an inflammatory and microbial burden on the body, potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
“Through our study, we found that treatment of gingivitis during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preterm birth,” said Nicolaas Geurs, DDS, dean of the UAB School of Dentistry. “The main takeaway from this study is that those who are pregnant should keep plaque off their teeth, which can easily be done through good oral hygiene, or brushing and flossing.”
The study involved 750 pregnant women between eight and 24 weeks of pregnancy who had moderate to severe gingivitis. Black women comprised two-thirds of the participants. Each participant received oral hygiene instructions and tools, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Both groups showed significant oral health improvements, evidenced by a decrease in bleeding sites compared to baseline levels.
In addition to promoting at-home oral health care, Geurs and his team also implemented a care model that integrates oral and prenatal care. Conducted at obstetrics clinics in two medical centers, the study trained nurse-led staff to provide oral hygiene instructions to patients. The integration of oral health and prenatal care contributed to the improved oral health of the pregnant women.
“Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life may negatively impact oral health,” Geurs noted. “By working with the nursing staff and training them on how to provide oral hygiene instructions during prenatal care visits, we found that we can make an impact on a patient’s overall health.”
