Self-Reported Oral Manifestations and Preventive Dental-Care Practices Among Pregnant Women in Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Oral symptoms and preventive dental-care practices during pregnancy remain insufficiently characterized in Romania. This study described self-reported oral manifestations, oral-hygiene practices, and dental attendance and explored their cross-sectional associations with gingival bleeding, dental pain, and perceived oral-health impact.

Methods

This single-center cross-sectional study included 101 pregnant women recruited at the Ginecho Clinic, Craiova, Romania, between October 2025 and July 2026. Participants completed a 21-item electronic questionnaire in the clinic with clarification available from the medical team. Oral conditions were self-reported/perceived rather than clinically diagnosed. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance; multivariable models simultaneously included preventive behaviors, maternal age, parity, and trimester.

Results

Gingival bleeding (68.3%), gingival swelling (66.3%), and salivary-flow alterations (57.4%) were frequently reported. Most participants brushed once daily (66.3%), never used interdental cleaning (68.3%), and had not attended a dental visit during pregnancy (81.2%). In adjusted models, brushing at least twice daily was associated with lower prevalence of gingival bleeding (aPR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32-0.97) and higher perceived oral-health impact (aPR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.99). No preventive behavior was significantly associated with dental pain after simultaneous adjustment.

Conclusions

Self-reported oral manifestations were common and preventive practices were limited in this convenience sample. These exploratory associations do not establish temporality or causality and require confirmation in prospective studies using validated instruments and clinical oral examinations.