A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry has found that nurse-led oral hygiene education can help reduce gingival inflammation in pregnant women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women experience gingivitis due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Periodontal diseases, which are linked to inflammation and microbial infections, can lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Dr. Nicolaas Geurs, DDS, dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, stated, “Our study shows that treating gingivitis during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preterm birth.” He added, “The key takeaway is that pregnant women should keep plaque off their teeth by practicing good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing.”
The study involved 750 pregnant women between 8 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, all with moderate to severe gingivitis. Two-thirds of the participants were Black women. Each participant was given oral hygiene instructions and the necessary items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Both groups of participants showed significant improvement in their oral health, with a decrease in bleeding sites compared to initial levels.
In addition to the at-home oral health care regimen, Dr. Geurs and his team focused on a care model that combined oral and prenatal care. The study was conducted at obstetrics clinics at two medical centers, where the team trained nurse-led staff to provide oral hygiene education to pregnant women during their prenatal visits. The integration of oral health and prenatal care was found to improve overall oral health among pregnant women. Dr. Geurs emphasized, “By working with nursing staff and training them to provide oral hygiene instructions during prenatal visits, we found that we could positively impact a patient’s overall health.”
For more details, you can read the full study titled “A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Prenatal Oral Hygiene Education in Pregnancy-Associated Gingivitis.”
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