UNAIR NEWS – Gingivitis or inflammation of gums is a disease caused by bacterial irritation in plaque and calculus. The symptoms can affect anyone, including pregnant women. In pregnant women, gingivitis starts from an increase in progesterone in the body up to ten times compared to normal conditions. This kind of thing results in the growth of pathogenic bacteria leading to inflammation of the gums / gingivitis.
There are some factors that influence a pregnant woman’s vulnerability to gingivitis, such as gestational age, nutritional status, and the presence of systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. If it is not handled properly, at the chronic stage, it can pose a risk of premature birth, low baby birth weight (LBW), pain or discomfort, to psychological disorders in mother.
It inspired Dr. Taufan Bramantoro, drg., M. Kes to re-analyze the correlation of gingivitis severity during pregnancy with the quality of life of pregnant women.
“From further research with my three colleagues, the results showed that there is a correlation between the severity of gingivitis during pregnancy and the quality of life related to the oral health of pregnant women, especially on the dimensions of functional, physical, psychological, and social limitations. Furthermore, the results of the study also showed a significant correlation with the quality of life of pregnant women, “explained drg. Taufan.
He continued, if the correlation obtained is negative, the higher the severity of gingivitis. If it happens, pregnant women’s quality of life with gingivitis may certainly decline.
Therefore, gingivitis must be treated immediately through various preventive programs promoting the community to maintain good habits or behavior in maintaining oral health.
“There are many things that can be done to minimize gingivitis in the community, especially pregnant women, such as an approach through posyandu cadres or midwives as medical personnel with an important role in providing education about oral health to pregnant women, “said Drg Taufan. (*)
Author: Nabila Amelia
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
Details of the research available at:
R. Darmawan Setijanto, Novia Setyowati, Taufan Bramantoro, Achmad Aghasy. 2019. Could the Severity of Infected Gingiva in Pregnant Woman Affect the Quality of Life?. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development 10(7):862.
