The role of plasma female sex hormones on gingivitis in pregnancy: a clinicobiochemical study.

OBJECTIVES To correlate the changes in the level of female sex hormones (progesterone, estrogen) in plasma with the changes in severity of gingivitis in various trimesters of pregnancy till the postparturition. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised of 20 pregnant women with good oral hygiene who were followed up in each trimester till 3rd month of postpartum by screening their oral hygiene status following OHI-S index by Greene and Vermillion. Clinically to correlate gingivitis, gingival index by Loe and Sillness was carried out in each trimester till postpartum. For hormonal assay, blood sampling by venipuncture was done and quantative analysis of the hormones was done by ELISA test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The severity of gingivitis gradually increased and reached its peak in 3rd trimester followed by sudden decline in the severity in postpartum which correlated with gradual increase in the plasma level of progesterone and estrogen levels to reach their peak in the 3rd trimester and sudden fall after the postpartum. This study shows the role of female sex hormones in aggravating gingivitis to its peak in the 3rd trimester, even though the oral hygiene remains fairly good constantly. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study signifies the gingivitis status during different trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum indicating the general practitioner to take appropriate oral hygiene measures.