Pregnancy Gingivitis – Things You Should Know

Between two-thirds and three-quarters of women experience swelling, redness, increased sensitivity, and even bleeding gums during the pregnancy. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis, the inflammation of gums which are also called gingiva. If you are experiencing it, the best course of action is to visit your dental hygienist or dents, for example, Monmouth County dentist.

But before you visit it, it is a good idea to inform yourself what you can expect from that visit. This will allow you to understand that your experience is not frightful as it may look at first glance. While it can be very unpleasant and anxiety-inducing, it can be very easily treated.

Causes Of Pregnancy Gingivitis

During pregnancy, your body is producing increased levels of the hormone progesterone. This increased level of it leads to an increased reaction to mouth bacteria, which cause tooth plaque. In turn, this leads to an increased risk of inflammation of the gingiva. While any gingivitis can be a very frightening experience, you should have in mind that it can be easily treated.

If you consult with your dental hygienist before it appears, it can also be prevented with the proper use of anti-gingivitis toothpaste or mouthwash.

Pregnancy Gingivitis Symptoms

Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis are the same as that outside of pregnancy, with an essential distinction of pregnancy. The most important signs of gingivitis are red and swollen gums that have an inflamed look about them. Also, they can be susceptible to pressure and even bleed when you are brushing your teeth.

These symptoms can be very alarming, especially during pregnancy when your health and baby’s health are the essential things in your life. But, you should be aware that they are somewhat familiar, and your dental hygienist has a tried and true solution for it.

Pregnancy Gingivitis Causes

Many factors influence our body’s immune response, whether it is a diet, environment, or even the normal functioning of the body’s endocrine system—one of the cases when the change of hormone levels can modulate the immune response s pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body produces increased amounts of progesterone.

While one of its functions is to decrease the immune response to the embryo and fetus of your baby and thus allow pregnancy to take its natural course, it also can increase the sensitivity of gingiva to bacteria present in the mouth.

Pregnancy Gingivitis Treatment

The best treatment of gingivitis of any kind is prevention. During the pregnancy, you should be aware of an increased risk of it and inform your dental hygienist of the fact. But it never hurts to remember the best practices for preventing and treating gingivitis during or outside of pregnancy.

Using an anti-gingivitis toothpaste and mouthwash will help remove plaque and plaque-causing bacteria, which are the leading cause of gingiva inflammation. Flossing at least once a day helps to remove any plaque build-up between teeth and under the gum line. And also, paying the proper attention to brushing around the gum line can accumulate and create problems.

Pregnancy gingivitis is one of the potential situations that can cause a significant concern during the pregnancy. Even for women who never have experienced inflammation of the gingiva before, during the pregnancy, because of the increased progesterone level, the risk of gingivitis is also increased. As many as two-thirds to three-quarters of women can experience it during pregnancy.

Sensitive and bleeding gums can be frightening, but fortunately, they can be relatively easily treated. The best course of action is to visit a dental hygienist or a dentist, but being slightly more mindful of this possibility can help you calm your nerves.