Study of Gingival Health Among Pregnant Teenagers at a Secondary Health Facility in Rivers State

Teenage pregnancy combined with pregnancy-associated gingivitis represents a compounded oral health vulnerability, and its assessment in South South Nigeria contributes to adolescent reproductive and dental health integration evidence. This study examined gingival health and oral hygiene practices among pregnant teenagers aged 13 to 19 attending antenatal services at two secondary healthcare facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted among 200 pregnant adolescents. Clinical gingival status was assessed using the Loe and Silness gingival index and plaque index. A questionnaire collected data on trimester, oral hygiene practices, dental visit history, and awareness of pregnancy gingivitis. Results showed that 71.5 percent had at least mild gingivitis, with moderate to severe gingivitis in 38.5 percent. The mean plaque index was 1.94, indicating inadequate oral hygiene. Only 8.5 percent had visited a dentist since becoming pregnant. Awareness of the effect of pregnancy hormones on gum health was present in only 19.0 percent. Third-trimester adolescents showed significantly worse gingival indices than first-trimester counterparts. Daily brushing was practised by 68.5 percent, but interdental cleaning by fewer than 3 percent. Recommendations include integrating oral health screening into adolescent antenatal services, training nurses and midwives in basic gingival assessment, developing youth-targeted oral health materials for distribution at antenatal clinics, and establishing dental referral pathways from maternity services in Rivers State.

Keywords: gingival health, pregnant teenagers, pregnancy gingivitis, Rivers State, antenatal oral health