title: Food intake, oral hygiene and gingival bleeding in pregnancy: does lifestyle make a difference? A cross sectional exploratory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between lifestyle factors (food intake, sugary snacks consumption and oral health practices) and gingival bleeding during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional exploratory study was conducted in the Maternity hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It included pregnant Saudi women selected using a convenience sample. Information was collected concerning participants' background, oral hygiene practices and visits to dentists. They were asked about the amount of food they consumed and their use of sugary snacks. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association between lifestyle factors and gingival bleeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were obtained from 197 women (92.1% response rate). Most women brushed their teeth but had < the recommended intake in the various food groups. Brushing was associated with lower odd of gingival bleeding (odds ratio= 0.47, 95% confidence interval= 0.23, 0.93) whereas intake of fewer servings than the recommended amounts in all food groups was associated with higher odds (odds ratio = 3.64, 95% confidence interval = 1.12, 11.82).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brushing and food intake during pregnancy are associated with gingival bleeding. Pregnant women can potentially improve their oral health by modifying their lifestyle and following healthier practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam.
authors.forename: Balgis O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Gaffar
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam.
authors.forename: Maha M A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: El Tantawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam.
authors.forename: Adel S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: AlAgl
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam.
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Ansari
keywords: Pregnancy; food; lifestyle; oral health