Gingivitis and Pregnancy

Did you know that increased levels of hormones during pregnancy can cause Gingivitis (inflammation of gums) and Periodontitis (gum disease)?  Studies indicate that 40% – 80% of women get Pregnancy Gingivitis during pregnancy.  Most Pregnancy Gingivitis cases occur between the second and eighth month of pregnancy.

Increased levels of hormones including progesterone during pregnancy can create a more ideal environment for bacteria growth, which can cause Gingivitis.  In addition, hormones can increase gum tissue sensitivity and the body’s response to plaque.  For pregnant women already dealing with gum disease, pregnancy can amplify the symptoms and disease. 

Pregnant mothers with severely inflamed gum tissue may encounter benign growths along the gum line formed by inflamed gum tissue.  These growths are known as pregnancy tumors and may be painful.  The growths are not cancerous but are caused by a strong inflammatory reaction and occur in about 10% of mothers with Pregnancy Gingivitis.  

Key symptoms of Gingivitis are red, swollen, irritated, and bleeding gums.  Gingivitis can cause bad breath and may lead to more serious gum disease if not treated promptly.  Additionally, some studies have shown a link between serious gum disease and premature birth. If you have any of these symptoms during pregnancy, make a dental appointment promptly so that you and your dentist can treat the disease.

You can take action to prevent Pregnancy Gingivitis with good oral hygiene.  Here are our recommendations for newly pregnant women:

• Brush teeth thoroughly for at least two minutes with an anti-gingivitis or anti-plaque toothpaste at least every morning and evening. Use special care to brush around the gum line.  Floss daily at night and consider using an anti-gingivitis mouthwash as well.
• Eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary foods.

• Tell your dental professional if you are pregnant and ask their recommendations for your specific situation. Make sure to go keep appointments for regular professional dental cleanings.

 If you are pregnant and have any questions about Pregnancy Gingivitis, contact our office at 305-442-7444.

Miro Dental Center

Dr. Claudio Miro and associates have been treating patients in the greater Miami area for over 30 years. As a team, we believe that the patient is of upmost importance at every level.   We take pride in the care we provide to our patients at Miro Dental Centers. We take the time to make sure our patients are fully informed and are given all treatment options.  Our goal is to provide our patients with optimal oral health by using state of the art technology.

With the dental field rapidly advancing, we are always looking for new and innovative treatments to serve our patients. We provide all types of services, including dental cleanings, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry.

If you have questions about your dental health or would like to schedule an appointment at our offices in Coral Gables, Kendall, Hialeah, or Hollywood, please contact us today at 305-442-7444.