Abstract
Association between the statuses of oral cavity hygiene and mental health has not been studied extensively in postpartum women. This observational study was conducted in 118 postpartum women in whom inspection of oral cavity by a dental hygienist with supervision of a dentist and questionnaires such as General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ 12), Maternal Comfort Questionnaire (MCQ), and General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were given four months after parturition. Women were divided by an oral status into two groups; 97 women with number of untreated decayed tooth ≤ 2 and that of tooth with plaque in the representative 12 tooth ≤ 2 (Group A) and 21 women with counterpart characteristics (Group B). The GHQ 12 score and MCQ score were significantly higher, while GOHAI score was significantly lower in the Group B than in Group A. Frequencies of daily practices such as teeth brushing and flossing, and those of having a home doctor for preventive dentistry and visits to a dentist significantly lower during pregnancy or postpartum in the Group B than in Group A. These results suggested that ignorance or lower interest in oral hygiene was associated with unfavourable mental hygiene in postpartum women.
