Pregnancy Gingivitis

In general, a pregnant woman experiences many pregnancy symptoms. When a woman becomes pregnant, there are lots of hormonal changes; for example, hormones like estrogen and progesterone are secreted in large amounts and are responsible for affecting the physical and mental health. Among the many symptoms, pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition, occurring in about 50 percent of pregnant women worldwide.

In pregnant woman, the kidney retains more water for nourishing the placenta. The stored fluid is then spread to other body parts, including the gum, hence resulting in puffy gum. Usually, gingivitis is developed between the second to the eight month of pregnancy. Women who already have gingivitis are at a higher risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis. Let's take a look at the symptoms and treatments of pregnancy gingivitis.

Pregnancy Gingivitis: Symptoms and Treatment

The notable symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis are swelling, inflammation, puffiness and tenderness of gum. It may be associated with discomfort and pain. Bleeding of the gum may occur while brushing teeth. This condition is more common among pregnant women. In case, bleeding of gum tissues take place without aggravating the affected part, then it is always advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The affected gum appears red in color.

The best way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis is to follow a good oral hygiene. Since pregnancy gingivitis is caused by bacteria present in the mouth, a good oral hygiene prevents development of gingivitis. There is no doubt that the increased level of progesterone hormone may aggravate the condition. Progesterone increases the chances of plague formation in the gum tissues, thus making the gum more susceptible to gingivitis causing bacteria.

Some of the good oral habits include, brushing teeth twice a day along with flossing at least once a day. You should take extra care of your oral health during pregnancy and practice the correct methods of brushing and flossing. For rinsing mouth, you should opt for an antimicrobial mouth rinse. If you are not sure of the safety of antimicrobial rinse, you can consult with your concerned gynecologist.

Other effective tips of preventing pregnancy gingivitis include drinking adequate amount of water and fruit juices to keep the body well hydrated. You can chew sugarless chewing gum, so as to increase the saliva secretion, which in turn, will reduce acidity and bacterial growth. It is always recommended to opt for regular dental checkups so as to avoid any oral problems. In case, any symptom of gingivitis is observed during pregnancy, then you can seek advice from your concerned gynecologist immediately.

Pregnancy gingivitis is harmless, if treated in the early stages. If gingivitis is left untreated, there are chances of it progressing to periodontal disease. According to some research studies, it is claimed that there is a relation between gum disease and premature delivery. As per the studies, pregnant women with chronic gum diseases have higher chances of premature delivery than expecting mothers with healthy gum.