Current oral contraceptive status and periodontitis in young adults

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of current hormonal contraceptive medication on periodontal health in young females. METHODS: Fifty women aged 20 to 35 years (mean +/- SD: 29.7 +/- 4.7 years) had a comprehensive periodontal examination. Current and previous contraceptive pill use was assessed by a questionnaire. Periodontal assessment included plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and attachment level at six sites per tooth. The periodontal health of current pill users was compared to that of women not taking the pill. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of subjects were taking the contraceptive pill at the time of periodontal examination. Current pill users had deeper mean probing depths compared to non-users (3.3 mm versus 2.7 mm; P = 0.006) and more severe attachment loss (2.6 mm versus 1.7 mm; P = 0.015). Pill users had more sites with bleeding on probing (44.0% versus 31.1%; P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Current users of oral contraceptives had poorer periodontal health.