Myths about Oral Health and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women in a Public Hospital in Peru

Purpose: To determine oral health myths and associated factors in pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study carried out in an outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Lima, Peru, in a sample of 390 pregnant women (mean age = 30.02 ± 6.32 years) who answered a questionnaire of 61 items, comprising 39 oral health myths, 10 demographic/socioeconomic items, and 12 general health items. Multiple linear regression models were used with Jamovi v.17 at p 0.05.
Results: Oral health myths were prevalent (33.6‒77.6%) and numerous (10 [7‒13] per pregnant woman), with common gestational or maternal beliefs associated with the presence of weakening of enamel/increased risk of caries and gingivitis, infection, or calcium loss; gingival bleeding and dental caries; risks posed by spicy food, medication, radiography, or anesthesia; and intense toothbrushing. Positive predictors of oral health myths were birth in geographical districts outside Lima, previous sexually transmitted disease and pre-eclampsia. Negative predictors were having more children, a higher educational level, better employment status, minimum monthly income, and history of smoking (R2 = 13%; F = 2.37; p 0.001).
Conclusion: Pregnant women had a high prevalence of beliefs in a large number of oral health myths associated with birth in the geographical districts outside the capital city, less maternal experience, poorer educational, occupational and economic conditions, and obstetric-gynecological medical history. Keywords: myths, oral health, pregnant women.