Gum diseases in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful period in a woman’s life. However, the body goes through many physiological changes, and gum disease during pregnancy is one of them and is very common. Almost 60-70% of pregnant women suffer from gum diseases.

Gum diseases during pregnancy also called Pregnancy gingivitis are characterized by swelling, inflammation of the gums, and bleeding on brushing or flossing. During pregnancy the progesterone hormone levels are high which can wreck havoc on the oral health, thereby making women vulnerable to increase in the bacterial growth in the mouth. This in turn results in the plaque build up which irritates the gums making them tender and sensitive. Pregnancy can make women more susceptible to gum diseases and cavities. Frequent vomiting or gastric reflux, craving for sugary foods and gagging exacerbates the gum diseases during pregnancy.

Since during pregnancy women already go through a lot and oral health may not be a priority. As a result the increased risk of pregnancy related diseases. Any sign or symptom of gum disease should not be neglected instead it should be dealt as a primacy.

Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis may include:

• swollen gums
• tender puffy gums
• bleeding gums of brushing or flossing
• receding gums
• bad breadth
• mouth ulcers/canker sores on tongue, lips or inner surface of the cheeks are other symptoms of neglecting oral health which can cause pain and irritation.

Pregnant women are more predisposed to develop the symptoms during the second trimester of their pregnancy. Poor oral health in pregnancy not only results in gum diseases but also if left untreated or neglected can result in loss of tooth due to compromised health of the structure surrounding the tooth also called as periodontitis. It also has some prenatal effects. In some cases it can also lead to premature birth with low birth weight.

Therefore, fervid manoeuver for the oral hygiene should be the perpetual practice followed by the pregnant women. Normally pregnancy gingivitis is reversible post pregnancy with ardent oral hygiene measures. However, failure to do so aggravates the disease. In order to nip the evil in the bud visit the dentist without further ado and seek for his advice. Dental visits are safe during pregnancy. First and foremost mention it to your dentist that you are pregnant. This alarms the dentist to follow the precautionary steps for a pregnant woman. Lying down on the back on the dental chair during the third trimester is avoided. The dentist can suggest you of oral prophylaxis or scaling of the teeth. Use of anti-gingivitis toothpaste and anti-gingivitis mouthwash as prescribed by the dentist help revert the pregnancy gingivitis symptoms.  Other measures include brushing twice a day with a soft-headed toothbrush, flossing between your teeth, avoiding sticky and sugary foods and rinses with warm saline water which will keep your teeth and gums healthy. Gastric reflux or vomiting associated with morning sickness is common in pregnancy. Vomit covers your teeth with stomach acids, which in turn result in cavities. In that case rinse your mouth with water and avoid immediate brushing as it may scratch the tooth enamel.

Gum diseases during pregnancy are common therefore caring for teeth is important for the mother and baby’s health. In case you are planning your pregnancy or you are pregnant visit our dentist in Delhi and get a thorough oral check up done to avoid any discomfort. Call 011-41606066 to book an appointment.