The relationship between gingivitis and depression in adult female

assessing the impact of mental health on gingivitis

Abstract

Background:
Gingivitis is a common and reversible inflammatory condition affecting gingival tissues, primarily initiated by plaque accumulation due to poor oral hygiene. Increasing evidence highlights its potential associations with systemic and psychological health conditions, including depression. This study explores the relationship between depression and gingivitis among adult females in Pakistan.

Objective:
To assess the association between gingivitis and depression, while also evaluating oral hygiene behaviors and dietary habits among adult female patients.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at the Department of Periodontics, Multan Medical and Dental College, over a period of four months. A total of 267 adult females aged 20–45 years were included using non-probability purposive sampling. Data on oral hygiene practices, depression scores, and gingivitis severity (using the Gingival Index) were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, with chi-square tests applied to assess associations between variables.

Results:
The mean age of participants was 33.52 ± 6.78 years. Most were housewives (70.8%) and had low to medium education levels. Brushing once daily was the most reported habit (66.7%), while 80.5% of participants did not use dental floss. There was no significant association between brushing or flossing frequency and gingivitis severity (p = 0.654 and p > 0.05, respectively). Dietary analysis showed a highly significant association between snack intake and gingivitis, though soft drink intake showed no such link. Notably, 65.9% of participants exhibited some level of depression, and the Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant association between depression scores and gingivitis severity (p = 0.020), suggesting that as depressive symptoms increased, so did gingival inflammation.

Conclusion:
This study confirms a significant association between depression and gingivitis among adult females, emphasizing the bidirectional connection between psychological well-being and oral health. Despite adequate awareness of brushing frequency, clinical signs of gingivitis persisted, indicating that frequency alone is not a reliable predictor of oral health. These findings support the need for integrated dental and mental health care strategies, particularly for women in Pakistan, to address the multifactorial nature of oral disease.

Key words:   Gingivitis; Depression; Oral Hygiene; gingival Index.