The relationship between oral health status and quality of life in pregnant women

Background: During pregnancy, changes occur in the oral environment that lead to dental caries and periodontal disease. In addition to hormones, the oral health of pregnant mothers and their lifestyles change during this period, which in turn leads to dental caries and periodontal disease. To assess the patient's oral health status, it is necessary to determine the effect of the disease on his psychosocial function, so assessing the patient's quality of life is an essential and important part of research. There are few studies that have examined the quality of life of pregnant women in relation to oral health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health status and quality of life in pregnant women.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۲۲۰ pregnant women living in Hamadan city were selected using a convenient sampling method. Demographic information, obstetrics and gynecology, quality of life and oral health status before and during pregnancy were examined. Oral quality of life was assessed using the OHIP۱۴ standardized questionnaire and oral health was assessed using a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS ۱۶ software and P <۰.۰۵ was considered significant.Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was ۲۵.۳۵ ± ۲.۹ years. Oral health status of pregnant women, the highest frequency of brushing was only once a day and this amount before and during pregnancy was (۴۹.۱% and ۴۷.۷%), respectively. The mean score of the quality of life was ۶.۹۹ ± ۸.۸. Quality of life had a significant correlation with oral health status of pregnant women before and during pregnancy (P≤۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that quality of life has a significant correlation with oral health status of pregnant women before and during pregnancy. This means that the less oral health care is provided by pregnant women, the lower their quality of life will be. Therefore, intervention programs in the field of oral health education in pregnant women are essential.

Keywords:

Oral health , pregnant women , quality of life