Pregnancy Gingivitis: What Causes Gingivitis During Pregnancy and How to Treat It?

Pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition that has been found to affect approximately 60% to 75% of pregnant women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hormonal changes can increase the risk of developing gingivitis, tooth decay, and other oral issues. It is characterized by red and inflamed gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Thankfully, pregnancy gingivitis is reversible with proper oral hygiene and professional dental treatment. Maintaining excellent oral health during pregnancy is critical, as poor oral health is linked to pregnancy complications. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, which has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight risks. Great Lakes Family Dental is here to help you manage gingivitis during pregnancy, ensuring safety and comfort.

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?

What is pregnancy gingivitis? Pregnancy gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease in pregnant women, often due to hormonal changes. Signs and symptoms of gum inflammation during pregnancy, including red, swollen, tender, and bleeding gums, may be an indication of pregnancy gingivitis. Pregnancy gum disease is typically temporary and manageable with the help of your dental professional. Untreated pregnancy gingivitis can negatively impact oral health and systemic health. Long-term problems can develop, including severe gum disease (periodontitis), bone loss, gum recession, infection, tooth loss, pregnancy tumors (pyogenic granulomas), bad breath, and other serious issues.

What Causes Pregnancy Gingivitis?

There are several potential causes of pregnancy gingivitis. One of the primary causes is increased pregnancy hormone levels, particularly progesterone and estrogen. Hormonal changes and gingivitis are commonly linked as blood flow to the gums increases, leading to red, swollen, bleeding, and inflamed gums. Dental plaque and gingivitis in pregnant women are also highly associated, as hormonal and immune response changes make the teeth and gums more sensitive to plaque and bacterial accumulation. Other factors that may increase the risk of gingivitis during pregnancy include poor oral hygiene, morning sickness, unhealthy dietary changes, reduced saliva, and existing gum problems that are left untreated.

Symptoms of Pregnancy Gingivitis

It is important to monitor for symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis so that early treatment can be performed to reduce the risks of health issues. Swollen gums and bleeding gums during pregnancy, particularly when brushing or flossing, are often the first early signs of gingivitis. Other common symptoms include tender gums, noncancerous lumps on the gums (pregnancy tumors or pyogenic granulomas), and bad breath during pregnancy. If you experience these signs or symptoms or any other issues during pregnancy, notify your dentist or medical professional immediately.

How Pregnancy Gingivitis Affects Your Oral Health?

Gum disease and pregnancy complications should not be overlooked. Untreated gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that can cause irreversible damage to your oral and systemic health. Periodontitis during pregnancy has been linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes, often due to chronic inflammation that has spread systemically. Prevention and management of pregnancy gingivitis complications is essential for both oral and overall health.

How to Prevent Pregnancy Gingivitis?

The best pregnancy gingivitis cure is preventing it altogether. To prevent pregnancy gingivitis, it’s crucial to maintain your oral hygiene during pregnancy and be in communication with your dental professional. Dental checkups during pregnancy are safe and essential to manage gum health and prevent oral issues like periodontal disease and tooth decay. Excellent brushing and flossing during pregnancy should be maintained daily to remove bacterial dental plaque, which can easily accumulate in pregnant women due to high hormonal levels. Rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash can further reduce bacteria and protect teeth from harm. Be sure to maintain a healthy diet and limit sugary and acidic foods that can promote gum inflammation and tooth decay.

Safe Dental Care During Pregnancy

Dental care during pregnancy is key to preventing serious oral health issues that can promote adverse pregnancy outcomes. Great Lakes Family Dental provides comfortable and safe dental treatments for expectant mothers. Procedures, including essential dental x-rays, fillings and crowns, root canal therapy, tooth extractions, and pregnancy gingivitis treatment, including professional cleanings, to treat emergencies, infections, and active disease, are considered safe and essential during pregnancy. Certain dental visits for pregnant women may be delayed, such as appointments to take non-essential X-rays or perform elective treatments like teeth whitening.

When to See a Dentist for Pregnancy Gingivitis?

Knowing when to see a dentist for pregnancy gingivitis is important. Gingivitis symptoms treatment should be performed early before symptoms worsen and cause serious health issues. Great Lakes Family Dental provides exceptional pregnancy gingivitis treatment and is here to help you safely manage gum health during pregnancy. Watch out for symptoms such as oral pain, chronic bad breath, lumps on the gums, gums that are swollen, red, or tender gums, or gums that easily bleed when brushing or flossing. You should seek dental care immediately if you notice symptoms that are persistent, concerning, or worsening despite good oral hygiene practices.

The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Gingivitis

Nutrition and gingivitis are also significantly connected. Maintaining a healthy diet and gum health is essential during pregnancy for improved health outcomes. A pregnancy diet for oral health should include vitamins and minerals to support the health of your gums and teeth and reduce inflammation. Vitamin C for gums is well-known for fighting inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Include vitamin C-rich foods in your diet, like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. Other important foods include calcium and phosphorus-rich items, fatty fish, crunchy fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. Limit foods that promote gum disease, such as sugary, starchy, acidic, and sticky foods.

Pregnancy Gingivitis vs. Regular Gingivitis

There are a few things to note when comparing and contrasting pregnancy gingivitis vs regular gingivitis. The main differences in gingivitis during pregnancy compared to regular gingivitis are the cause and potential risks involved. Oral health during pregnancy is particularly important as poor oral health can impact both the mother and the growing baby. The risk of developing gingivitis during pregnancy is increased due to hormonal changes that encourage bacterial plaque accumulation.

Whereas regular gingivitis is often caused by the accumulation of plaque due to inadequate brushing and flossing. Both pregnancy gingivitis and regular gingivitis involve inflamed, tender, red, and bleeding gums and rely on excellent oral hygiene and professional dental care for treatment and prevention. Pregnant women may also be susceptible to the development of pregnancy tumors, or pyogenic granulomas, which are noncancerous lumps on the gums due to hormonal changes.

	Pregnancy Gingivitis	Regular Gingivitis
Primary Cause	Plaque accumulation from hormonal changes (i.e., increased progesterone/estrogen levels)	Plaque accumulation from poor oral hygiene
Symptoms	Pregnancy tumors/pyogenic granulomas (non-cancerous, lumps on gums). Symptoms have greater intensity: red, swollen, tender gums Gums bleed easily when brushing/flossing	Red, swollen, tender gums Gums bleed easily when brushing/flossing
Timing of Occurrence	Typically begins in the 1st/2nd trimester Symptoms may peak in the 3rd trimester Persists until treated, but symptoms may reduce after childbirth.	Can occur at any time Persists until treated
Common Risk Factors	Morning sickness Hormonal fluctuations	Poor oral hygiene. Smoking Diabetes
Risks if untreated	Periodontitis Infection and abscesses Gum recession Tooth loss Systemic health risks (i.e., diabetes complications, stroke, heart disease, respiratory issues)	Linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes Periodontitis Infection and abscesses Gum recession Tooth loss Systemic health risks (i.e., diabetes complications, stroke, heart disease, respiratory issues)
Treatment and Management	Daily excellent oral hygiene (i.e., brushing, flossing, mouth rinse use) Professional dental care (i.e., dental cleaning prophylaxis, scaling, and root planning)	Daily excellent oral hygiene (i.e., brushing, flossing, mouth rinse use) Professional dental care (i.e., dental cleaning prophylaxis, scaling, and root planning)

Can Pregnancy Gingivitis Go Away on Its Own?

You may be questioning, ‘Can pregnancy gingivitis go away?’ The answer is yes, but active daily management at home and professional gingivitis treatment is necessary. Proper oral hygiene and professional dental care for gingivitis are essential for periodontitis prevention, which is a severe form of gum disease that is linked to serious oral health and pregnancy complications. Routine dental check-ups and cleanings are safe and effective throughout pregnancy. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to seek professional care immediately.

Benefits of Visiting Great Lakes Family Dental During Pregnancy

Great Lakes Family Dental Care provides top-rated pregnancy-safe dental services. Our trained and specialized team of dental professionals makes dental care during pregnancy comfortable, gentle, safe, and effective to protect both maternal and fetal health. Our commitment to personalized care and handling the unique needs of pregnant patients is unmatched. Schedule a consultation today. We look forward to supporting your oral health at Great Lakes Family Dental!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pregnancy gingivitis common?

Yes, pregnancy gingivitis is common. In fact, about 60% to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hormonal changes can trigger gum inflammation, making pregnant women more at risk of developing early gum disease (gingivitis). Common symptoms and signs of pregnancy gingivitis include red, swollen, and bleeding gums, bad breath, tooth and gum sensitivity, dental plaque buildup, and noncancerous gum growths (pregnancy tumors or pyogenic granulomas).

Can pregnancy gingivitis harm my baby?

Untreated pregnancy gingivitis can harm your baby. Pregnancy gingivitis can progress to a more severe chronic gum disease known as periodontal disease, which has been linked to higher risks of pregnancy complications. Oral inflammation can trigger inflammation throughout the body, and potentially increase your risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes, according to research. If you experience signs or symptoms of gum disease, consult your dentist or medical professional promptly.

Is it safe to get a dental cleaning while pregnant?

It is both safe and recommended to get a dental cleaning while pregnant. Medical professionals, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Dental Association (ADA), and other health organizations strongly recommend regular dental hygiene check-ups and treatment, including professional cleanings, during pregnancy. Whereas elective procedures, such as teeth whitening, are typically postponed until after pregnancy. Delaying treatment can increase your risk of developing gum disease and other oral health issues, which can have a direct impact on you and your baby’s health. It is important to inform your dentist of your pregnancy and any medical conditions, medications, and medical history.

What are the best oral hygiene practices during pregnancy?

The best oral hygiene practices during pregnancy include brushing twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and daily flossing and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouth rinse. Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, limiting sugary and acidic drinks and beverages that can harm your teeth, gums, and overall health. If experiencing morning sickness, it is important to consume plenty of water to help neutralize harmful acids that can erode tooth enamel. Avoid brushing for at least 1 hour after vomiting to prevent further damage to teeth in its weakened state. Maintain your regular dental check-ups and cleaning appointments, which are safe and key to preventing health consequences that can impact you and your baby.

Can pregnancy gingivitis cause permanent gum damage?

Untreated pregnancy gingivitis can cause permanent gum damage, as it can progress to severe periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage, including gum recession, bone loss, infection, and potential tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment from your dental professional are key to preventing permanent gum damage and long-term health consequences.