Symptoms Of Pregnancy Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a disease of gums. A patient suffering from this disease has red swollen gums which bleed. In a normal person the cause of this is presence of bacteria and plaque in mouth. The bacteria grow beyond limits due to poor dental health. When a person does not rinse mouth after eating something, the bacteria start to grow. The growing number of bacteria causes redness of gums which start to bleed, swell and turn red.
This is not the case in pregnant woman. Many hormonal changes take place in her body. The quantity of oestrogen and progesterone hormones increases considerably. This results in an increase in the amount of bacteria and plaque in the mouth of the lady. As a result of increased level of hormones the immune system responds resulting in swelling. The bacterial infection in swollen gums results in bleeding.
The affect continues to increase with the advancement of pregnancy. The chances of contracting this problem are more in second and early third trimester. However, the effect starts receding during the last month of pregnancy and the lady is normal after the delivery.
A proper care of teeth and gums during pregnancy reduces the chances of contracting gingivitis. A pregnant lady should brush teeth properly at least three times a day using proper dental cream. Rinsing the mouth with some good quality mouth wash is helpful in removing bacteria. If even after taking proper dental care you get gingivitis, a visit to the dentist is essential. Do tell the dentist about the precautions taken and the tooth paste and mouth wash used.
It is possible that you are not brushing your teeth in a right manner and for the right time. The dentist will be able to suggest the proper method of brushing the teeth. Some medicated tooth pastes are available in the market. These can be used in consultation with the dentist. Two visits to the dentist during pregnancy are recommended.
If gingivitis is not treated there are chances of your causing some permanent defect to your denture and this may result in loosing teeth. This infection results in increase in prostaglandin, a hormone present in body. The increased level of this hormone can induce early labour pains. The unborn child may also be affected some way. Take full care of your teeth and gingivitis will go after child birth as the hormonal imbalance will become normal.