Pregnancy comes with a host of changes to your body. We know the big ones, such as morning sickness, tender breasts and the “mask of pregnancy.” But one pregnancy sign you might not be familiar with is pregnancy gingivitis in early pregnancy.
Known as pregnancy gingivitis, this is most commonly experienced between months two and eight of your pregnancy, and may affect up to 40% of women.
What causes sore gums in early pregnancy? Are there risks involved? And what can you do about sore gums in early pregnancy? Let’s find out.
Some women get swollen gums in pregnancy third trimester which may cause bleeding. Gum bleeding is a result of plaque buildup on the teeth.
Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy may make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, which can lead to inflammation and bleeding. Gum disease or pregnant gingivitis are other names for this.
What causes sore gums in early pregnancy or pregnancy gingivitis?
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
If you’ve brushed and flossed your teeth and noticed a fair amount of blood when you spit out, you may have pregnancy gingivitis.
What causes it? When you are pregnant, your levels of the hormone progesterone are high. This increased level of progesterone promotes the growth of gingivitis-causing bacteria in your mouth. Your gum tissue will also become more sensitive. All this may lead to sore gums in early pregnancy or pregnancy gingivitis.
These hormonal changes also interfere with your body’s regular response to bacteria, which may lead to periodontal infections (gum disease). Plaque easily builds up on your teeth, too.
When does pregnancy gingivitis start
While you may first encounter sore gums in early pregnancy (around the two-month mark), pregnancy gingivitis usually intensifies in the eighth month of pregnancy.
Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis
Gingivitis affects 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Here are some common signs of this condition:
- Receding gums
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Sore gums
- Bad breath
- Puffy gums
Furthermore, even after brushing, you can still notice lingering bad breath. Your symptoms may worsen during the remainder of your pregnancy, especially in the second trimester.
Are there any risks of pregnancy gingivitis?
Several studies have highlighted pregnancy risks due to pregnancy gingivitis. The most significant of these is premature birth.
In a study published by The Journal of the American Dental Association, pregnant women with gum disease were up to seven times more likely to have a premature birth (before week 37) than women with healthy gums.
Those with severe gingivitis (periodontitis) could even deliver as early as 32 weeks. Periodontitis is linked to low birth weight and preterm delivery.
An inflammatory illness called periodontitis causes your gums to move away from your teeth, possibly leaving infected pockets behind. In the end, tooth loss could ensue from this.
Is it safe to get a dental x-ray?
If your symptoms are severe, you could need dental X-rays. Your dentist will take precautions to shield your infant from the radiation.
X-rays are safe to use during pregnancy when utilized with the appropriate shielding, according to experts in both dentistry and obstetrics. Additionally, receiving dental care while expecting might be less complicated than waiting until after the birth of your child.
Preventing pregnancy gingivitis
Follow these dental hygiene rules from the beginning of your pregnancy, in order to minimize the risks of pregnancy gingivitis.
1. Practice good dental hygiene
Photo by Greta Hoffman
Brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride. If your gums are easily irritated, switch to a toothbrush with soft bristles. Don’t neglect the tops of your teeth where they connect to your gums.
In addition to brushing your teeth well, it’s also important to floss. This helps get rid of tiny particles of food and plaque that might be trapped between your teeth and gums, which the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach.
2. Regular sea-salt gargles
If you’re experiencing sore gums in early pregnancy, gargling with a sea-salt solution can help ease the soreness.
Just dilute one teaspoon of sea salt in one cup of warm water. Swish around your mouth after brushing, gargle and spit out.
3. Visit your dentist
This is one of the best ways to prevent pregnancy gingivitis. Your dentist is trained to spot tiny signs that you might miss, and will be able to nip the problem in the bud.
While pregnant, you cannot change your hormone levels, but there are numerous steps you may do to prevent pregnancy gingivitis. The best thing to do is to:
- To maintain a healthy mouth, brush twice per day and floss once each day.
- Make a dentist appointment while you are expecting.
You can also improve your oral health by:
- eating a healthy, balanced diet.
- lowering your intake of sugary foods and beverages.
- Brush your teeth after consuming sticky, sugary, and chewy treats like raisins, dried fruit, gummy fruit snacks, or chewy sweets.
- putting an end to smoking or using tobacco.
Pregnancy gingivitis treatment
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
The primary method of treating gum irritation is a dental cleaning to remove plaque buildup. Your dentist might also advise you to follow good dental hygiene practices, like:
- cleaning your teeth twice a day.
- One flossing each day.
- Use a warm salt water and rinse every day (one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water).
If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, your dentist can advise the following:
- oral antibacterials
- Best mouthwash for pregnancy gingivitis that is prescribed
If you just have not been able to ward off gum disease during your pregnancy and have developed pregnancy gingivitis, please visit your dentist without delay.
She or he might put you on a course of antibiotics that can get rid of the bacteria causing the gum infection. There are also special mouthwashes that your dentist may prescribe.
Moms-to-be, the good news is that even though you might suffer from sore gums in early pregnancy, the symptoms should disappear after your baby is born. Still, it’s best to be informed about pregnancy gingivitis so that you know how to prevent it and keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.
If you experience any gum or dental issues while you are pregnant, consult your dentist or OB/GYN.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Singapore
Updates by Margaux Dolores
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