Periodontal disease status during pregnancy and 3 months post-partum, in a rural population of Sri-Lankan women

Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of pregnancy on the periodontium, in a rural population of Sri-Lankan women. Methods: The study group consisted of 47 pregnant women and 47 non-pregnant women who served as matched controls. All subjects were examined for plaque (plaque index: PLI), gingival condition (gingival index: GI) and loss of periodontal attachment (LA) levels, 4 X during the study, at 3-monthly intervals. Results: Despite similar scores for plaque levels in both pregnant and non-pregnant women, the GI of pregnant women was significantly increased, during the ist and 2nd trimesters compared to the controls (p<0.01, 2-way ANOVA). During the 3rd trimester, GI was further increased (p<0.001), but dropped at 3 months post-partum. Values for LA did not show significant differences from that of controls, during any of the stages of pregnancy. Conclusions: The results of this study show that pregnancy had an effect only on the gingivae and not on periodontal attachment levels. The effects of oestrogen and progesterone could give rise to a more florid response to the irritant effects of plaque, resulting in severe gingivitis.