TY - JOUR

T1 - Self-reported gingival conditions and self-care in the oral health of Danish women during pregnancy

AU - Christensen, Lisa Bøge

AU - Jeppe-Jensen, Dorte

AU - Petersen, Poul Erik

PY - 2003/11

Y1 - 2003/11

N2 - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to describe the self-assessment of gingival health conditions in pregnant women, their oral hygiene behaviour and dental visiting habits, and to analyse self-care practices of pregnant women in relation to perceived gingival problems.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1935 pregnant women living in two areas of Denmark consecutively recruited from August 1998 to March 1999. The survey data were based on telephone interviews. Questions in the interview concerned general health, lifestyles, socioeconomic conditions, gingival conditions, oral hygiene and utilisation of dental health services.RESULTS: One-third of the study population perceived signs of gingival inflammation; 5% of the pregnant women assessed their gingiva as poor, while 95% reported good or "normal" gingival condition. Ninety six per cent brushed their teeth at least twice a day and nine out of 10 were regular users of the dental-care system. Twenty-seven per cent of those women with pregnancy gingivitis responded to the symptoms by, for example, seeing a dentist or intensifying the oral hygiene habits.CONCLUSION: Despite a high level of self-efficacy among the pregnant women as for oral health and oral health care combined with a high level of oral hygiene and dental visiting habits, there seems to be a substantial need for increased awareness of gingival oral health.

AB - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to describe the self-assessment of gingival health conditions in pregnant women, their oral hygiene behaviour and dental visiting habits, and to analyse self-care practices of pregnant women in relation to perceived gingival problems.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1935 pregnant women living in two areas of Denmark consecutively recruited from August 1998 to March 1999. The survey data were based on telephone interviews. Questions in the interview concerned general health, lifestyles, socioeconomic conditions, gingival conditions, oral hygiene and utilisation of dental health services.RESULTS: One-third of the study population perceived signs of gingival inflammation; 5% of the pregnant women assessed their gingiva as poor, while 95% reported good or "normal" gingival condition. Ninety six per cent brushed their teeth at least twice a day and nine out of 10 were regular users of the dental-care system. Twenty-seven per cent of those women with pregnancy gingivitis responded to the symptoms by, for example, seeing a dentist or intensifying the oral hygiene habits.CONCLUSION: Despite a high level of self-efficacy among the pregnant women as for oral health and oral health care combined with a high level of oral hygiene and dental visiting habits, there seems to be a substantial need for increased awareness of gingival oral health.

KW - Adult

KW - Attitude to Health

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Dental Care

KW - Dental Health Surveys

KW - Female

KW - Gingival Diseases

KW - Health Behavior

KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

KW - Humans

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Oral Health

KW - Oral Hygiene

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Pregnancy Complications

KW - Self Care

KW - Self-Assessment

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 14761116

VL - 30

SP - 949

EP - 953

JO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology

JF - Journal of Clinical Periodontology

SN - 0303-6979

IS - 11

ER -