Association between oral health behavior during pregnancy and premature birth based on case-control study / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate the relationship between maternal oral health behavior during pregnancy and premature birth. 【Methods】 A total of 248 preterm and 700 non-preterm pregnant women who delivered in Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Shaanxi Province from January to December 2022 were included in case group and control group, respectively. General demographic characteristics and oral health behavior during pregnancy were collected by questionnaires, and the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to assess the oral health related life quality of pregnant women. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between maternal oral health behavior during pregnancy and premature birth. 【Results】 During pregnancy, maternal frequent eating after brushing teeth (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.03-2.57), unused fluoride toothpaste (OR=2.03, 95%CI 1.25-3.05), late visit to the doctor for oral discomfort (OR=1.41, 95%CI 1.02-1.96), brushing teeth less than twice one day (OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.13-2.78) or less than 3 minutes each time (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.09-2.11), and elevated OHIP-14 score (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.04-1.10) increased the risk of premature birth. 【Conclusion】 Poor oral health behavior during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth. Therefore, more efforts should be made to publicize oral health knowledge and guide pregnant women to establish good oral health habits so as to improve oral health and promote maternal and child health.