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Published on: July 4, 2018
Does pregnancy have an impact on the subgingival microbiota?
Laurence M Adriaens1, Regina Alessandri, Stefan Spörri
1Department of Periodontology, Division of Oral Microbiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Journal of Periodontology
|February 21, 2009
Summary
Pregnancy alters subgingival bacteria, with some species decreasing postpartum. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia counts at week 12 were linked to bleeding on probing (BOP).
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Microbiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Investigated clinical and subgingival microbiologic changes during pregnancy.
- Studied 20 pregnant women (age >= 18) without dental care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track changes in oral bacteria and periodontal health throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
- To identify specific bacterial species associated with pregnancy-related oral health changes.
Main Methods:
- Collected bacterial samples at weeks 12, 28, 36 of pregnancy and postpartum.
- Analyzed 37 bacterial species using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization.
- Recorded clinical periodontal data, including bleeding on probing (BOP).
Main Results:
- Mean BOP decreased from 40.1% at week 12 to 27.4% postpartum.
- Total bacterial counts decreased significantly from week 12 to postpartum (P <0.01).
- Counts of 17 bacterial species decreased postpartum, while Neisseria mucosa increased; key periodontitis-associated bacteria did not change.
Conclusions:
- Subgingival bacteria associated with periodontitis remained stable during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia counts at week 12 correlated with BOP.
- A significant decrease in 17 bacterial species was observed from early pregnancy to postpartum.
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