RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DENTAL PLAQUE FORMATION AND SALIVARY CORTISOL LEVEL IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Purpose: Understanding how increased level of salivary cortisol level contributes to the development of dental plaque during pregnancy can help to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases. this study is aimed to evaluate the relationship between salivary cortisol level and dental plaque formation in pregnant women. Material and Method: Forty consecutive pregnant women with no history of abortion, stillbirth, or any known physical or psychological disorders at weeks 25 and 33 of gestation were included into this cross-sectional study. Salivary samples were collected for measurement of cortisol levels by Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The amount and extension of dental plaques were determined by using disclosing agent. Results: The mean levels of salivary cortisol at weeks 25 and 33 of gestation were 2.45 ± 1.56 µg/dl and 5.24 ± 4.07 µg/dl with a significant difference (P<0.001). Evaluation of dental plaque at two times interval revealed a significant increase in amount of dental plaque at week 33 of gestational period (34.65 ± 10.9% Vs. 42.45 ± 12.35%, P<0.001). Elevated levels of dental plaque was significantly correlated with salivary cortisol levels at week 33 (r=0.494, P=0.001) whereas, this correlation was not statistically significant at week 25 of gestation (r=0.148, P=0.361). Conclusion: The findings suggested that increased levels of salivary cortisol can predict dental plaque formation and accumulation in pregnant women at last weeks of gestation.