Oral mucosal lesions in pregnant women: A population-based study

Leveraging Dental Stem Cells for Oral Health during Pregnancy: A Concise Review

Pregnancy induces significant changes in oral health because of hormonal fluctuations, making it a crucial period for preventive measures. Dental stem cells (DSCs), particularly those derived from the dental pulp and periodontal ligaments, offer promising avenues for regenerative therapies and, possibly, preventive interventions. While the use of DSCs already includes various applications in regenerative dentistry in the general population, their use during pregnancy requires careful consideration. This review explores recent advancements, challenges, and prospects in using DSCs to address oral health issues, possibly during pregnancy. Critical aspects of the responsible use of DSCs in pregnant women are discussed, including safety, ethical issues, regulatory frameworks, and the need for interdisciplinary collaborations. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of leveraging DSCs to improve maternal oral health.

Oral Manifestations in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

Background: The period of pregnancy is characterized by a multitude of diverse changes that exert a notable impact on the oral cavity of women. During this gestational phase, patients necessitate tailored oral care and specific recommendations to preempt and address potential oral diseases. This systematic review aimed to perform a detailed analysis of the research studies that focused on the oral manifestations observed in pregnant women. Methods: A meticulous search was conducted in the databases Medline, Scopus, and Scielo by employing the following search terms: ((pregnant OR pregnancy)) AND (("oral manifestation*") OR ("oral health")). Articles that were published between 2013 and 2023 and written in English or Spanish and studies that scrutinized oral manifestations in pregnant women and included a diagnosis conducted by a qualified dentist were selected; we excluded articles published before 2013, articles that could not be accessed in full text, studies whose patients were not pregnant women at the time of the study, studies where patients were selected because they had a specific disease, studies where the clinical examination was not performed by a dentist, and articles written in languages other than English or Spanish. Subsequently, the risk of bias in the chosen articles was assessed in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) scale. Results: A total of 20 studies were included in the analysis, following the exclusion and inclusion criteria. These studies were categorized as cross-sectional, cohort, longitudinal, or case-control. Various oral manifestations in pregnant women were examined, with five studies comparing these manifestations with those observed in nonpregnant women. Conclusions: The most prevalent oral manifestations associated with pregnancy encompass dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, pyogenic granuloma, and candidiasis. Nonetheless, less common lesions may also emerge during the course of pregnancy.