[The physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of saliva during and after pregnancy]. / Características fisicoquímicas y microbiológicas de la saliva durante y después del embarazo.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the changes in some physiological and microbiological parameters in the saliva from a group of women during and after their pregnancies. METHODS: Stimulated whole saliva was collected from a cohort of 35 women during their pregnancy and afterwards to determine each sample's physicochemical (secretion rate, pH and buffer capacity) and microbiological characteristics (acidogenic bacteria count). RESULTS: The pH and buffer capacity of saliva during pregnancy were lower than after pregnancy. There were no statistically significant changes regarding S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. count, but a tendency towards increased values during pregnancy was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Changes occurring in the saliva of pregnant women can lead to an increase of risk of suffering disease affecting one's oral health, such as caries, gingivitis and periodontal disease; this could be prevented by appropriate diagnosis and dental follow-up, including education regarding pregnant women's oral health.