Dr. Chetan

Dentistry and Dental Information | Dental News| Dental Tips

  • Dental Articles
  • Dental Tips
  • Health Tips
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Bad Breath
  • Dental Diseases
You are here: Home / Dental Diseases / What is Pregnancy Gingivitis

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis

June 25, 2009 By Dr. Chetan 1 Comment

Pregnancy gingivitis is the inflammation or swelling of the gum tissues suffered by many pregnant women. When plaque, the bacterial film that grows on your teeth, builds up too much, pregnancy gingivitis can result. The plaque that causes pregnancy gingivitis irritates the gums, making them bright red, tender, swollen, sensitive, and bleed readily. It is common during pregnancy because hormonal changes during pregnancy may exaggerate the body’s normal response to dental plaque. This hormonal increase exaggerates the way the gum tissues react to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in an increased likelihood that a pregnant woman will develop pregnancy gingivitis if her daily plaque control is not adequate. Pregnancy generally worsens any existing gum problems, sometimes dramatically.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, about 50% of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This condition is most common between the second to eighth months of pregnancy. The hormones involved, estrogen and progesterone, are secreted in progressively greater concentrations throughout most of pregnancy. While this is a defense mechanism designed for preparing a woman’s body for the journey ahead, the resulting flood of hormones results in a variety of different effects. Hormones tell the kidneys to retain water in order to build blood volume to have enough to nourish the placenta. Thus a pregnant woman has 40% more fluid in her body. As a result, this increases the amount of fluid in all the cells in the body, including the gum tissues, which causes them to become “puffy”. Between the time of conception and the seventh month of pregnancy, hormones will triple in quantity, and then remain at that heightened level until delivery.

The best way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene with above standard oral hygiene; this condition can be almost entirely avoided. Remember, it is the bacteria, not the hormones, which cause the gingivitis. If one experiences the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis, it is important to visit a dentist to see if he/she needs more frequent dental cleanings or other treatment. Visits to the dentist and dental hygienist for regular check ups and cleanings are a good idea to keep gingivitis away. While good oral hygiene is important to everyone, it is even more so with pregnant women. Because gums can be painful, puffy, and bleeding during pregnancy, the tendency is to avoid touching them. Floss everyday, brush your teeth at least twice a day and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse such as Listerine or Crest Pro-Health Rinse.

Related posts:

  1. Dental care during pregnancy
  2. Gingivitis – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
  3. What are the causes of bleeding gums?
  4. Which is the best time to floss your teeth?

Filed Under: Dental Diseases

Comments

  1. Dr.Minhaj says

    November 19, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    This atrticle is quite informative and would like to suggest if you could please give some information on a white lesion that is bilaterally present on cheek with a family history.Give all the d/ds thanks, Also would like to suggest a coulmn for questions that are needed by someone and you already have an article on it he/she has to just type the question and can find the ans.Thanks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • Post Extraction Instructions for the Patient – What to do after tooth is pulled out?
  • Foods that cause Bad Breath (Halitosis Causes)
  • Tips to Choose a Toothbrush
  • Best ways for Preventing & Curing Bad Breath in Kids
  • Types of Wisdom Teeth Impactions Based on Angulations of Tooth
  • Roles & Requirement of a Dental Hygienist (Education Details)
  • Dear haters, your negativity against ALS Ice Bucket Challenge isn’t helping either!
  • Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist – Comparison of Jobs & Profession
  • Dental Hygienist – Jobs & Average Salary in the Dental Office
  • How to Care for your Dentures [Patient’s Guide]
By Chetan Bhawani, a dentist graduated from Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, India. Find me on Facebook.

Copyright © 2025 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in