Nutritional Supplements and Patterns of Visits to Dental Clinics among Pregnant Women's Periodontal Health, and Treatment Needs in Diyala Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Background: One of the most prevalent oral health diseases affecting people is periodontal disease, which affects the tissues supporting the teeth. Globally, 5 to 70% of older people suffer from periodontal diseases, which impact 65 million persons above the age of 30 in America. Periodontitis and gingivitis are more prevalent during pregnancy as a result of the hormonal and vascular changes that make the periodontal tissue more sensitive to local effects. For this reason, maintaining oral health during pregnancy has been acknowledged as a crucial public health issue on a global scale.

Aim: Evaluation of the relationship between nutritional supplements, patterns of visits to dental clinics with pregnant women's periodontal health, and treatment needs in Diyala center, Diyala governorate, Iraq.

Subjects and Methods: The community periodontal index for treatment needs based on World Health Organization and Federation Dentaria International guidelines was used in the cross-sectional investigation of 515 pregnant women with ages ranging from (20-40 years) who were examined at eight medical health centers in Diyala center, Diyala governorate, Iraq.

Results: The prevalence rate of periodontal disease among pregnant women in Diyala medical health centers was (87.38%). The calculus code 2 recorded approximately the highest code among pregnant women and it was (45.05%), followed by bleeding code 1 recorded (35.34%), then pocket depth from 4-5 mm recorded (4.47%), while the pocket depth of 6 mm or more recorded the least percentage (2.52%) and only (12.62%) of pregnant women had healthy periodontium. The most prevalent needed treatment was treatment needs 2 (49.51%).

Conclusion: A significant association was found between nutritional supplements taken and patterns of visits to dental clinics with the highest CPITN codes.