Pregnancy related periodontits and its complications

ABSTRACT

In females, during puberty, ovulation and pregnancy, there is an increase in the production of steroid sex hormones which lead to increased gingival inflammation, featured by gingival enlargement, increased gingival bleeding, increased crevicular fluid flow and microbial changes. Apart from gingivitits, in few cases patient do develop non. neoplastic gingival growth known as epulis. Steriod sex hormones have a significant effect on organ systems. As far as gingiva is concerned, they induce cellular proliferation, differentiation and keratinisation by raised keratinocyte and fibroblast activity. Estrogen is responsible for alterations in blood vessels and progesterone stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, some micro organism found in the human mouth needs menadione [vitamin k] as essential growth factor and raised steroid sex hormones substitute it and promote bacterial growth. These microbial changes includes raised p. intermedia. Due to the microbial changes, PLBW [PRETERM LOW BIRTH WEIGHT] results as a complication. This condition is treated via non surgical method including scaling, polishing, root planing, patients counseling regarding nutrition, brushing habits, methods and duration