15 February 2023

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Correlation between pregnancy, increased risk of caries

Simona Chirico

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During pregnancy, women experience a series of changes with many organs and parts of their body, including the oral cavity, that cause physical and physiological alterations.

In fact, a higher incidence of caries has been highlighted during this period. However, the onset and progression of caries is due to several factors. Saliva, for example, is a primary modifying factor and alterations in salivary properties during pregnancy could explain the increased incidence of caries. During pregnancy, salivary alterations could be related to the effects of estrogen, changes in diet, oral hygiene habits and taste alterations.

Materials and methods

The study conducted by Dr. Yousefi and team evaluated the risk factors of caries in each trimester of pregnancy related to saliva, including the concentration in it of calcium and phosphate, hydrogen ions, its buffering capacity, Streptococcus count Mutans and Lactobacillus present. Data on the amount of decayed, missing and filled teeth were also recorded. The study was published in August 2020 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. 

The authors performed a literature search through major electronic databases up to July 1, 2019. Researchers included 29 studies in the meta-analysis, comprising 1,230 pregnant women and 715 non-pregnant women (control group).

Results

Salivary calcium concentration is decreased in the third trimester, according to the study. Salivary phosphate decreased in the second and third trimesters, and the concentration of hydrogen ions decreased in the first and third trimester.

The velocity of stimulated salivary flow is increased in the third trimester, and salivary S. mutans counts are higher in the second and third trimesters.

Conclusions

In the third trimester of pregnancy most of the salivary factors predisposing to the development of caries undergo changes and therefore may increase the risk of developing caries in the future. Interventions and screening for caries prevention in pregnancy should start in the first or second trimesters.

For more information, see: "Salivary factors related to caries in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis."