EVALUATION OF PERIODNTAL PATHOGENS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN TAMILNADU

Kanakam Elizabeth Thomas*, V. Mangayarkarasi and D. Balakrishnan

ABSTRACT

Aim: To find out the prevalence of periodontitis among pregnant women in Tamil Nadu and evaluate the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with periodontitis. Introduction: Periodontitis and pregnancy are closely assosciated. Different studies outside India and within India shows varied results. This study intends to correlate periodontitis and pregnancy involving the various changes occurring in the oral micro flora. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 subjects were taken for the current study. With the help of paper points subgingival plaque was taken from women at second trimester of pregnancy and at post partum stage.. The sample was processed for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Results: From the results it can be seen that the percentage of women having periodontitis was high at second trimester. There was a slight decrease in the post partum stage. Apart from E.coli, other aerobic bacteria showed statistical significance. Among anaerobic bacteria there was a reduction in anaerobic flora from second trimester to post partum stage. Stomatococcus, Peptococcus, Eubacterium, Aggregatibacter sp, Bacteroides, Prevotella sp, Fusobacterium, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia showed statistical significance. Conclusion: Till date in India, routine dental care is not recommended by gynecologists to the prospective mothers. Proper advice from gynecologists, in routine dental check up will eventually lead to reduction in uneventful childbirth due to lack of knowledge in oral health care.

Keywords: Periodontal pathogens, Periodontitis and pregnancy, uneventful childbirth.