Effectiveness of Mouthwash, Rinses, Salt Water, and Toothpastes on the Oral Health of Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is linked to hormonal fluctuations, making pregnant women more susceptible to gingival and periodontal diseases. Hence, oral hygiene interventions, such as mouthwashes and toothpastes, play a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene among women. However, the interventions used should be effective as well as safe to use. Hence, this systematic review assesses the effectiveness of various oral hygiene interventions, which include mouthwashes, saltwater rinses, and toothpastes, on the oral health of pregnant women. METHODS: A detailed literature search was done using PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, including studies published in the last 6 years. Only randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and systematic reviews relevant to the objective of this study were included. The quality assessment of the included studies was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. According to this tool, all the selected studies had moderate-to-high quality. RESULTS: The three studies were finally selected that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria based on the PRISMA flowchart. Alcohol-free mouthwashes including fluorides, antibacterial toothpastes, and saltwater rinses were found to improve gingival health and decrease plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Some additional agents were found to be as effective as chlorhexidine during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene interventions based on saltwater rinses, fluoridated mouthwashes, and toothpastes improve oral health in pregnant women. These agents are effective and easily available for better oral hygiene during pregnancy and better pregnancy outcomes.