Effect of oral contraceptive therapy on gingival inflammation in humans.

One hundred sixty-eight female patients between the ages of 18 and 35 were evaluated with an Oral Debris Index and a Gingival Inflammatory Index. The patients were then divided into groups and subgroups according to their intake of oral contraceptives. Statistical analysis revealed that the group currently taking oral contraceptives had a higher mean Gingival Inflammatory Index than the group not presently taking oral contraceptives. The group taking oral contraceptives also revealed a lower mean Oral Debris Index than the control group. Further analysis revealed that while some brands of oral contraceptives produced more dramatic index changes than others, no relationship appeared to exist due to the differences of progesterone or estrogen content in the various brands. Increased accumulative exposure to oral contraceptives apparently had no effect upon Oral Debris Indices or Gingival Inflammatory Indices. Further studies with older population groups should be conducted in an attempt to answer questions concerning the effect of long term oral contraceptive intake on periodontal diseases other than gingivitis.