The effect of oral contraceptives on gingivitis in female patients who attended the dental clinic of Dr. René Puig Bentz at the National Pedro Henríquez Ureña University
Description
This study aimed to determine if oral contraceptives (OCs) modify the risk of gingivitis in female patients at the Dr. René Puig Bentz dental clinic. OCs contain estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that can influence the inflammatory response in the gums due to the presence of specific receptors. This response can lead to clinical signs such as redness, swelling, and bleeding in the presence of dental biofilm. This observational, descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional study included 60 patients, who were divided into two groups: 30 OC users and 30 non-users. Periodontal indicators, such as gingival redness, plaque index, bleeding, and inflammation, were evaluated. The results showed that gingival redness was more prevalent among AO users, demonstrating a statistically significant difference. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the plaque index, gingival inflammation, or bleeding. None of the patients who used oral contraceptives had gingivitis. The only two cases identified occurred in the non-user group. No relationship was found between the hormonal composition, concentration, or duration of OC use and the presence of gingivitis. Therefore, while oral contraceptives influence certain clinical signs, such as gingival redness, there is no evidence that they are a determining factor in the development of gingivitis. These findings underscore the importance of plaque control as the primary predisposing factor over hormonal effects.
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Steps to reproduce
Data was collected using a clinical form that recorded oral contraceptive use, including the type, dose, hormone concentration, duration, frequency, and possible side effects. Based on this information, two groups were formed: Thirty patients who used oral contraceptives and thirty who did not. Both groups underwent a clinical periodontal evaluation using a mirror and periodontal probe. This evaluation included recording the presence of missing teeth (excluding third molars), gingival redness, the Löe and Silness inflammation index, bleeding on probing expressed as a percentage, and the bacterial plaque index according to established clinical criteria. The data were recorded in Microsoft Excel, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were generated in the form of tables and graphs of frequency and percentage. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between oral contraceptive use and the presence of gingivitis.
Institutions
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez UreñaNacional, Santo Domingo