Self-reported oral hygiene habits and periodontal symptoms among postpartum women.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe oral hygiene practices and periodontal symptoms among postpartum women and to assess whether self-reported periodontal symptoms are correlated with a clinical diagnosis of periodontal disease. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess socio-demographic information, oral hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits among a group of 409 postpartum women. Additional questions included information on self-reported periodontal symptoms. Pregnancy information was obtained from medical charts. RESULTS: 99.3% of the participants brushed their teeth every day; 46.2 and 53.8% reported teeth brushing once a day or more, respectively. Periodontal disease was present in 61.4% of women. Patients with gum swelling and tooth mobility were almost twice as likely to have a periodontal disease (OR 1.7, CI 95% 0.9-2.8 and OR 1.7, CI 95%: 0.8-3.5, respectively). No associations were found between periodontal disease, gum swelling PTB and/or LBW. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal clinical periodontal disease at delivery was related with self-perceived gum swelling and tooth mobility. Dentists and prenatal medical care providers may have the opportunity to target pregnant women that might be at higher risk for periodontal disease by asking whether they have tooth mobility and/or swollen gums.

Oral surgery in patients on anticoagulant treatment without therapy interruption.

PURPOSE: Conflicting opinions exist in literature concerning the management of oral surgery in patients on oral anticoagulants because no consensus on perioperative protocols is available, including precise guidelines regarding the need for therapy modification or withdrawal. The aim of this study was to evaluate bleeding complications associated with oral surgery performed on patients on oral anticoagulants without therapy modification or withdrawal but following a standardized comprehensive perioperative management protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients on oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin and in need of oral surgery underwent a thorough general and oral clinical evaluation to assess thromboembolic and bleeding risk; 255 subjects who, on the morning of surgery, had INR values