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. 2015 Jan;56(1):53-7.
doi: 10.11622/smedj.2015010.

Prevalence of oral lesions and measurement of salivary pH in the different trimesters of pregnancy

Kanu Jain  1 , Harshaminder Kaur
Affiliations

Prevalence of oral lesions and measurement of salivary pH in the different trimesters of pregnancy

Kanu Jain et al. Singapore Med J. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: Oral changes observed during pregnancy have been studied for many years, but their magnitude and frequency have not been stressed upon. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of oral lesions during different trimesters of pregnancy and their correlation with salivary pH change.

Methods: The gingival, simplified oral hygiene, community periodontal and decayed-missing-filled teeth indices were used to assess a total of 120 pregnant women (40 in each trimester group) and 40 nonpregnant women (control group). Salivary pH was measured using a digital pH meter. Presence of any oral lesions was determined via oral examination.

Results: Scores for all indices increased while salivary pH decreased from the control group to the first trimester group, through to the third. Oral lesions were seen in 44.2% of pregnant women. Lesions were seen in 27.5%, 52.5% and 52.5% of women in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. The percentage of pregnant women with one oral lesion was highest in the second trimester (47.5%), whereas the third trimester had the highest prevalence (17.5%) of two concurrent oral lesions. The incidence of fissured tongue was highest in the first trimester group, and that of gingival enlargement was highest in the third trimester group. In the second trimester group, there was an almost equal incidence of fissured tongue and gingival/mucosal enlargement.

Conclusion: Most changes in oral tissues during pregnancy can be avoided with good oral hygiene. Salivary pH could be used to assess the prevalence of oral lesions in the different trimesters of pregnancy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graph shows an increase in scores for all the parameters examined from the control group to the first trimester group, through to the third trimester group. There was a decrease in mean value of salivary pH from the control group to the first trimester group, through to the third trimester group. DMFT: decayed-missing-filled teeth
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graph shows the percentage distribution of mucosal lesions in the different trimesters of pregnancy.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Graph shows the percentage distribution of the number of oral lesions.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Graph shows the distribution of the type of oral lesions in the different trimester groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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