A COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY ON “ORAL HEALTH AWARENESS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN LUCKNOW CITY”

Abstract

Background: During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect the oral cavity and increase the risk of gum disease inflammation, and tooth decay. These issues can potentially harm the health of the developing baby. Therefore, it is crucial for both the mother and child to maintain proper oral health. Mothers need to be aware of the connection between oral health and pregnancy. This study aims to assess women's self-reported oral health and oral health literacy, as well as their level of awareness regarding this connection The study involved distributing a pretested Material and Methods: questionnaire to 200 mothers between the ages of 19 and 44 who gave birth at the government hospitals in Lucknow city. The questionnaire covered topics such as demographics, oral health before and during pregnancy, as well as postchildbirth oral health. Research reveals that only 20% of women had received oral examination prior t Results: o pregnancy, whereas 38.5% intentionally received dental checkups after confirming their pregnancy. Approximately 24% of the women were not aware of the significance of maintaining proper oral hygiene during pregnancy. During pregnancy, 41.5% of women reported dental complaints, and 30.5% received dental treatment. 68% brushed their teeth twice daily, while 32% observed oral health deterioration during pregnancy. Most of the mothers possessed a good understanding of the significance of maintaining oral health during pregnancy. This was strongly linked with a higher level of education and living in larger cities. The study also revealed that there was a significant connection between higher birth weight and regularly brushing teeth on a daily basis. Younger mothers tended to have more frequent problems with their oral cavity and required more dental treatments during pregnancy. The level of Conclusions: awareness among women regarding oral health management is quite low. Obstetricians and pediatricians should ask pregnant women about their dental check-ups both before and after childbirth and educate them about the significance of oral hygiene during and after pregnancy