Association between pica practice, oral health, and cariogenic microorganisms of US pregnant women: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of pica practices during pregnancy on oral health risks and outcomes.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in New York. Demographic, medical history and oral hygiene practice data were collected using validated questionnaires. Comprehensive oral examinations included caries and periodontal status (plaque index and bleeding on probing). Clinical samples (saliva, plaque, and pica substances obtained from participants) were processed to assess the carriage of cariogenic microorganisms (Streptococcus mutans and Candida species) using culturing-dependent and -independent methods. We statistically compared oral clinical and microbial outcomes of pica and non-pica participants.

Results

Among 20 women enrolled (8 (40 %) with pica and 12 (60 %) without pica), the mean gestational age was 25.55 ± 8.82 weeks. Candida species were detected in 25 % of pica samples (n = 2), predominantly from ice samples. The pica group exhibited poorer oral health conditions, showing more decayed-missing-filled teeth and surfaces than the non-pica counterparts (p = 0.016). Although not statistically significant, salivary carriage of C. albicans was 2.8 times higher in women with pica compared to those without (3.3 ± 5.7 × 10³ CFU/ml versus 1.2 ± 3.8 × 10³ CFU/ml in non-pica, p = 0.093). Women with pica reported markedly higher prevalence of anemia (50 %) compared to non-pica participants (8.3 %) (p = 0.035).

Conclusions

Pica practices were associated with maternal oral health risks, imploring that clinicians manage pica behaviors to mitigate oral diseases during pregnancy.